Tesla Code Hints at Facial Scans Before Unlocking Full Self-Driving
Hidden strings in the Tesla app suggest the car may soon verify who is behind the wheel before enabling FSD, right as existing driver-monitoring systems struggle with simple workarounds like sunglasses.
Unreleased strings discovered in the latest iOS mobile app for Tesla suggest the automaker is experimenting with facial identification inside the cabin before handing over steering control to its driver-assistance software.
As reported by Electrek from an app teardown, the codebase contains references to fsdIdentityCheckFailedTitle and showFsdIdentityCheckFailedDialog. The prompts indicate that Tesla may use its interior cabin camera to verify whether the person in the driver seat is authorized before engaging Full Self-Driving (FSD). If the identity check fails, the car would refuse to activate the driver-assist system and surface an error alert on the paired phone.
Tesla has not officially announced the feature, and code found in companion apps does not guarantee a rollout to production vehicles. Making the system operational would likely require a matching vehicle software release alongside the mobile update.
Restricting FSD by identity could offer practical utility for corporate fleet managers and future robotaxi services, or simply prevent unauthorized household drivers from turning on high-level driver assists. However, the discovery comes during ongoing scrutiny of Tesla's in-cabin monitoring. Despite recent software updates intended to improve eye-tracking in low light and behind lenses, viral footage circulating online recently showed a driver asleep behind the wheel at highway speeds while wearing sunglasses—highlighting the gap between automated cabin surveillance and real-world compliance.
Comments
Help shape the next version: Add context or suggest a correction. AI review can add points toward a rewrite. Reviews and updates may take time; a full meter does not guarantee a new version.