The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), a U.S. government agency responsible for investigating crashes, has ordered the Dawn Project organization to stop using its seal in a Super Bowl ad that called for consumers to boycott Tesla.
Background: The Dawn Project’s Campaign against Tesla FSD
The Dawn Project is a safety advocacy group funded by tech CEO Dan O’Dowd, which has been campaigning against the use of Tesla Full Self-Driving (FSD) software. They have alleged that FSD has critical safety defects and has been criticizing Tesla for not implementing the NTSB’s safety recommendations.
The Super Bowl Ad Controversy
The Dawn Project aired two ads during Super Bowl LVIII, one of which used the NTSB seal without permission. The ad criticized Tesla’s use of FSD and called for consumers to boycott the company. However, the NTSB did not authorize the use of its seal in the commercial.
NTSB’s Letter to Dawn Project
The NTSB sent a letter to the Dawn Project stating that it had not obtained permission to use the NTSB seal in the Super Bowl ad or any other materials. The agency also noted that using the seal without permission implies endorsement by the NTSB, which is against Federal law.
Key Points from the Letter
- The NTSB’s General Counsel William McMurry Jr. called the use of the seal "unlawful" and noted that it had been posted on the group’s webpage and YouTube page.
- The agency stated that it strives to protect its international reputation by preventing unapproved use of its seal.
- The letter also mentioned that the unauthorized use of the NTSB seal spuriously implies endorsement by the agency.
Dawn Project’s Response
A spokesperson for the Dawn Project emailed a statement stating that they used the NTSB’s seal in their second Super Bowl LVIII commercial while referring to Tesla’s refusal to implement the NTSB’s safety recommendations. They also stated that they have great respect for the NTSB and unlike Tesla, they agree with the agency’s prudent safety recommendations.
Cost of Airing Ads
The cost of airing the ads in those markets was $552,000. The Dawn Project has been campaigning against the use of Tesla FSD for years now, including airing an ad in last year’s Super Bowl.
History of Campaigning Against Tesla FSD
The Dawn Project has a history of criticizing Tesla’s use of FSD software, which they claim has critical safety defects. They have also criticized Tesla for not implementing the NTSB’s safety recommendations.
Conclusion
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has ordered the Dawn Project organization to stop using its seal in a Super Bowl ad that called for consumers to boycott Tesla. The agency stated that it had not obtained permission to use the NTSB seal in the commercial or any other materials, and that using the seal without permission implies endorsement by the NTSB.
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About Kirsten Korosec
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Kirsten Korosec is a reporter and editor who has covered the future of transportation from EVs and autonomous vehicles to urban air mobility and in-car tech for more than a decade. She is currently the transportation editor at TechCrunch and co-host of TechCrunch’s Equity podcast. She is also co-founder and co-host of the podcast, ‘The Autonocast.’