Online platforms have increasingly been requiring ID verification checks to comply with new laws around the world meant to protect minors from harmful content. But it appears those types of checks may soon not be limited to the digital world. Electrek reports that code in Tesla’s latest iOS app update suggests the company is considering using its in-car camera to verify a driver’s identity before they can use the company’s advanced driver-assistance system known as Full Self-Driving (Supervised). An X account called Tesla_App_iOS, which tracks the car company’s latest apps, first pointed out the hidden strings in the app’s code. “Strings such as fsdIdentityCheckFailedTitle and showFsdIdentityCheckFailedDialog suggest that the cabin camera may now perform driver identity verification before allowing FSD to activate,” the account posted on X. “If the system cannot confirm the driver matches the authorized profile, it can block FSD and show a failure message in the app.”
Electrek pointed out that this is not a shipped feature yet. It could take weeks or months before it rolls out, if it ever does, and would likely also require a vehicle firmware update. However, an ID check would not be a huge leap for Tesla. The company already uses the cabin camera mounted above the rearview mirror to monitor drivers. Today, that camera can look for signs of inattentiveness, drowsiness, and the driver’s eye and head position., according to Electrek.
