Elon Musk’s latest Tesla claim leaves regulators fuming over FSD safety

Elon Musk has stirred fresh controversy after claiming that Tesla’s latest Full Self-Driving (FSD) update now allows drivers to text while behind the wheel, even though the practice remains illegal. 

The Tesla CEO responded on X (formerly Twitter) to a user asking whether the new FSD v14.2.1 update supports texting and driving, saying the system may permit it “depending on the context” of surrounding traffic.

For those unversed, Tesla FSD is still classified as a Level 2 driver-assistance system, meaning drivers must remain fully alert. 

Musk’s remark have suggested that Tesla has relaxed its attention “nags,” which previously forced drivers to keep their eyes on the road or risk FSD shutting down.

Some Tesla users even claimed they could keep their hands off the wheel for long stretches without intervention.

However, experts have warned that this could create a dangerous perception that Tesla FSD is closer to full autonomy than it actually is. 

Regulators have already linked numerous accidents to misuse or overreliance on the technology, while Tesla’s Autopilot and FSD systems continue to face federal scrutiny.

While Musk argued that these updates move Tesla closer to true autonomy, the reality remains unchanged: texting and driving is illegal everywhere.