Tesla is attempting to stop the city of Austin, Texas, from disclosing public records to Reuters regarding its upcoming launch of self-driving robotaxis, expected to begin operating on Austin’s streets this month. The electric vehicle maker argues that releasing the documents would expose confidential business information and damage its competitive position.
Reuters submitted a public records request in February, seeking communications between Tesla and Austin officials over the prior two years. This request came after Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s January announcement that the company would soon introduce fare-collecting robotaxis in Austin.
In early April, Austin’s public-information officer Dan Davis informed Reuters that certain “third parties” had asked the city to withhold the requested records, citing privacy and proprietary concerns. The city then referred the matter to the Texas Attorney General’s office on April 7, as state law requires when disputes arise over the release of potentially confidential information.
On April 16, a Tesla attorney sent a letter to the Attorney General, objecting to the release of what it described as “confidential, proprietary, competitively sensitive commercial, and/or trade secret information.” Tesla argued that public disclosure of these communications would expose its deployment procedures, strategy, and operational status, potentially causing the company “irreparable harm.”
Tesla and the Texas Attorney General’s office have declined to comment further. Austin city officials emphasized that they take no stance on whether the materials qualify as proprietary, but are obligated by law to seek the Attorney General’s judgment when a third party claims confidentiality.
Musk has made self-driving technology central to Tesla’s future growth. While the company has repeatedly delayed full autonomy, the robotaxi launch in Austin is being closely monitored by investors and regulators as a potential breakthrough moment. Many analysts believe Tesla’s high market valuation depends largely on the commercial success of its robotaxis and humanoid robots.
Details of Tesla’s Austin robotaxi program remain limited. The company has only revealed plans to initially deploy between 10 and 20 autonomous vehicles in certain, undisclosed areas of Austin.
In response to Tesla’s objections, a Reuters attorney argued on April 23 that the public has a right to transparency, especially when Tesla plans to operate untested autonomous vehicles on public roads. “Tesla’s deployment of the unproven technology on Texas roadways makes its plans an issue of enormous importance to Texas and the public at large,” the attorney wrote.
The Texas Attorney General’s office is expected to issue a ruling within 45 business days, a deadline that arrives next week.