posted in Technology

How one woman’s Tesla was remotely controlled – and used to harass her – by an abusive ex-partner

“You thought you’d get away with this. I am in your car. I am in your maps,” he shouted at her, according to the police records.

Over the coming days, Stacey found that the parental control profile, to which she had no access, could almost entirely control the car, including its speed, climate control, lock and curfew hours, determining when the car could be driven.

Between 6 and 12 November 2025, Pucci remotely alternated the car’s temperature setting between extremely cold and extremely hot.

“The victim has not been able to drive certain speeds and on most recent occasions throughout this period, [the accused] has turned on ‘Valet Mode’ which immediately reduces the speed to 40km per hour causing significant safety issues for the victim on the road”, the police documents stated.

“The victim has not had any control of her vehicle since she noticed the parental control profile added on the 1st November 2025.

www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/sep/09/how-one-womans-tesla-was-remotely-controlled-and-harass-by-her-abusive-ex-partner-ntwnfb

Replying to @⁨velma@sh.itjust.works⁩

You always do the same thing and it’s getting boring. You come in with your cookie cutter narrative and try to silence everyone who dares to say something different. Not opposite, not contrary - just different. You see every deviation for you simplistic narrative as being being equally bad. You think I didn’t know this is exactly how you will react to my comment? I was sure you will show up and try to silence me as I was typing it. To be clear, if you get robbed and I say “you should get an alarm” I’m not blaming you and defending the robber. I know it’s incomprehensible to you but two things can be true at the same time: the abuser can be 100% at fault and people can do things to limit the possibility of being abused. Lemmy is full of technologically capable people. Pointing out here that you should control your devices is not an extreme view here. It’s factual statement. That being said, I’m bored and I will just ignore you from now on.

Replying to @⁨ExLisper@lemmy.curiana.net⁩

I see so if your parents get scammed for every last penny leaving you no inheritance because they were too embarrassed and felt a bottomless pit of shame and humiliation to come forward about scam artists because no one can be vulnerable around you because you blame them for any misfortune. They can’t turn to you just for some strength or advice to do next steps for disaster management because disasters, challenges and growth aren’t permitted in your world.

And let me guess: everyone in the world ‘annoys’ you.

Wonderful relationship and empathy material of a typical npd.

Replying to @⁨ExLisper@lemmy.curiana.net⁩

Remember, Tesla added this feature after widespread demand for parental controls on use following an incident in which a teenager killed themselves by driving too fast. People asked why they couldn’t override the car with parental controls if that feature was a technical possibility and there was even talk of using legal force to make them do it if they didn’t voluntarily comply.

Tesla requiring proof that the limited account belonged to a minor was not going to be permitted. Parents did this to us.