Musk 'looking into' Tesla's top security feature being blocked in Israel

Tesla CEO and founder says vehicle manufacturer looking for solution to fix issue rendering comprehensive anti-theft and vandalism 'Sentry' mode illegal in Israel - after receiving dozens of complaints from Israeli customers
Udi Etzion|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
Tesla chief Elon Musk said Sunday he was "looking into" reports the car manufacturer's top security feature was blocked for use in Israel.
  • Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter

  • The Israeli branch of electric vehicle manufacturer has apparently banned the “Sentry Mode” service in the country, which utilizes the vehicle's safety cameras to protect it from theft and vandalism, all while monitoring the vehicle's surroundings while driving in reverse.
    2 View gallery
    Tesla
    Tesla
    Tesla founder and CEO Elon Musk
    (Photo: EPA)
    The service was reportedly blocked due to the vehicle manufacturer's refusal to adapt the service to Israeli law, which prohibits automatic activation of the alarm system used by Sentry to warn the vehicle’s owner of illicit physical contact, as well as obstructions while driving.
    According to several Israeli Tesla owners, bypassing the lock was possible thanks to the use of certain third party software which allowed users to utilize Sentry while disabling its intrusive alarm feature.
    The loophole, however, was patched in Tesla's latest firmware update, rendering the solution ineffective and the Sentry system once again unavailable for about 7,500 Model 3 owners in the country.
    Moshe Shekther, a Tesla Model 3 owner, uploaded to Twitter a picture of his vehicle vandalized, days after the controversial firmware update rolled out.
    "This could be stopped if Tesla will enable Sentry mode in Israel," wrote Shekther in his post, which included a plea to Tesla founder and CEO Musk to "do his magic" and find a solution to the Sentry issue in Israel.
    Musk, on his part, replied: "Looking into it".
    1Comments
    add comment
    The commenter agrees to the privacy policy of Ynet News and agrees not to submit comments that violate the terms of use, including incitement, libel and expressions that exceed the accepted norms of freedom of speech.
    1.
    You have to ask yourself...
    Why is the government making it illegal to stop car thieves, criminals and terrorists? Maybe it might catch drug dealers by accident? VIP husbands fear their affairs might be recorded? That device sure is disruptive to society. Maybe something's wrong with society?
    OverSeer| 03.28.22
    11
    add comment
    The commenter agrees to the privacy policy of Ynet News and agrees not to submit comments that violate the terms of use, including incitement, libel and expressions that exceed the accepted norms of freedom of speech.
    ""