News & Knowledge

Add to Portfolio

VLP Partner Michael L. Whitener Interviewed on Podcast for Thomson Reuters Legal Current: “Is Your Car Really a Transformer?”

Posted on Aug 17, 2015 in News by Michael L. Whitener

In a podcast for Thomas Reuters Legal Current, VLP Partner Michael L. Whitener talks about the many legal issues involved with today’s “connected cars” such as privacy and consent.

Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla Motors, once described the Tesla Model S as a sophisticated computer on wheels. These days, that description actually applies to most cars, which are equipped with an increasing array of sensors, relays and connective equipment that control, monitor and report numerous systems and data.

Tesla recently patched its software after hackers announced that they had figured out a way to hack into Teslas. And class-action suits have been filed against Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and Harman International, after hackers showed that a Jeep Cherokee could be hijacked remotely, three car owners have filed a lawsuit seeking the maker of the Uconnect onboard infotainment system.

Click here to listen to the podcast.