From Futurism · Victor Tangermann · · 1m 20s
He Was in Her Car, and in Her Maps
A Sydney woman lost control of her own Tesla to an abusive ex who had the app on his phone.
In brief
A Sydney woman lost control of her own Tesla to an abusive ex who had the app on his phone. Car software turns app access into physical control, so whoever holds the account holds the driver. Originally reported by Futurism.
Drivers gave up the controls
Modern cars hand the real levers to software and apps. The person holding the account can matter more than the person holding the wheel.
“we've never been more removed from the actual driving experience”
A Sydney woman loses her car
Narghiza Ergashova found a parental control profile added to her Tesla. Her former partner, who she says abused her for four years, was running it from his phone.
He followed her and yelled
Enrico Pucci tailed her in his own car, shouting about her new partner while he had the Tesla app open.
“You thought you'd get away with this. I am in your car. I am in your maps.”
How he got access
Ergashova owns the Tesla. Pucci had earlier offered to help her set up the companion app, which handed him wide control over the vehicle.
Valet mode as a weapon
He capped the car at 25 mph on main roads, swung the cabin to freezing and boiling, and set curfew hours locking when she could drive.
“significant safety issues for the victim on the road”
Thirty convictions, two years
Pucci has 30 domestic violence convictions, including eight counts of stalking and two of choking. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to two years in prison.
“The victim has not had any control of her vehicle since she noticed the parental control profile”
What matters most
Car software turns app access into physical control, so whoever holds the account holds the driver.
