While out and about in New York one day, Christine Dawn realized that the parked Tesla next to her was actively recording her as she exited her own car. Surprised, she shared her experience on TikTok in a video that has already reached 1.2 million views. In the post, Dawn included the caption, “And then I record it, recording me 🤣 Careful guys, Tesla is always watching….”
The footage shows the TikToker pointing her camera at her car door before panning over to show the ‘recording’ symbol on the Tesla’s dashboard. She tells her audience, “I just opened the door to my car and this Tesla next to me is recording me to make sure that I don’t hit that car. I did not know they did that. Look out guys, they’re always watching.”
The reaction from viewers was mixed based on their awareness and comfort with the technology. One user named Jess noted, “It records anytime you’re near it,” while another user, Kaisa, commented, “Wtf that so creepy.” A user named Ado called it “the only good thing about Tesla,” and Calvin Here added, “I love it! best feature.” The conversation even turned humorous, with Bedilia joking, “I’ma start farting loud AF next to them.”
From Dashcams to Sentry mode
This specific feature in a Tesla is known as Sentry Mode. According to Capital One, it is a vehicle-monitoring system designed to provide Tesla owners with an extra layer of protection. When the vehicle is parked or turned off, the car keeps its built-in cameras and proximity sensors activated to detect potential theft, vandalism, or break-ins. If the system detects a minor interaction, it enters an Alert status, showing a warning on the infotainment screen.
If a more severe threat is detected, Capital One noted that it triggers an alarm protocol that flashes the headlights and sounds an alarm. Owners can even monitor live feeds through the Tesla mobile app. However, this level of surveillance has raised privacy concerns globally, with some countries even moving to ban the use of such features.
For those who do not drive a Tesla, the standard solution for vehicle security remains the traditional dashcam. According to U.S. News, dashcams act like webcams that save footage locally to a MicroSD card. While they are often installed to prove fault in traffic accidents, many models can be hardwired to record motion even when the car is off.
Reportedly, this can be a great way to catch hit-and-run drivers, though it does require some effort to manage the wiring and ensure the battery isn’t drained. This use case has also provided key evidence for a repair scam at a Virginia Chevy dealership. In New Jersey, it captured the potential culprit of a murder, providing clues for the police to identify a motive.
Unlike factory-integrated systems, U.S. News states that dashcams are an out-of-pocket expense that can range from $100 to $500. While they don’t lower insurance premiums, they can save drivers significant money by providing evidence during insurance claims.
The discussion on Christine Dawn’s post continued with users weighing in on the legality and necessity of this constant recording. User missyblue_eyes2020 seemed lika a fan explaining, “It’s called Sentry mode and it’s a wonderful feature!” while others expressed discomfort with the surveillance.
A user named Mariachi asked, “this is legal? Like recording u the whole time?” Another user, 🖤🎱🕷️🎳🐃, clarified, “It records anytime there’s anything close to the vehicle person or not.”
In response to concerns, User Shanice remarked, “Most dashcams start recording as soon as there’s movement nearby, not just Tesla’s.” Meanwhile, others remained skeptical of the technology as a whole, finding it intrusive. User spiralshapeketchup, said, “I have seen this too many times. It’s so creepy. If I even walk near one this happens sometimes. 🤦♀️”
Per U.S. news, road safety is becoming a more pressing issue, noting that AAA reported an increase in road deaths between 2020 and 2022. So, it seems likely that the reliance on camera evidence will grow.
Published: Jun 7, 2026 09:00 am