# Self-Driving Taxis Spy on Riders

> Waymo taxis record conversations and share data with police after detecting firearms.
- Title: Self-Driving Taxis Spy on Riders · The Drive | Shortify
- Summary: Waymo taxis record conversations and share data with police after detecting firearms. Waymo's self-driving taxis use cameras and microphones to monitor for…
- Keywords: waymo, self-driving taxis, microphones, law enforcement, data sharing, firearms detection, cars, technology, Self-Driving, Taxis, Spy, Riders
- Source: The Drive — https://thedrive.com/news/self-driving-taxis-are-spying-on-you
- Author: Byron Hurd
- Published: 2026-10-08T18:09:17+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: waymo, self-driving taxis, microphones, law enforcement, data sharing, firearms detection, cars, technology
## Robotaxi security protocols
Waymo's self-driving taxis use cameras to detect potential firearms and terminate rides when threats are identified.

> The weapon in question fired water beads, not bullets, but its profile was enough to trigger Waymo’s security protocols
## Waymo's data sharing policy
Waymo's user agreement allows sharing passenger information with law enforcement and regulators for safety and legal compliance.

> We may share certain data with law enforcement as needed to comply with legal requirements, enforce agreements, and protect the safety of you and others
## Rider privacy concerns
Waymo's microphones record conversations and share data with police, raising privacy issues for passengers.

> Waymo says its internal microphones are only on when staff need to communicate with riders or when riders deliberately choose to enable them
## Key takeaway

Waymo's self-driving taxis use cameras and microphones to monitor for threats and share passenger data with law enforcement.