Tesla can change so much with OTA updates that it’s messing with owners’ heads

Review has been updated to 0 stars.

I think that's entirely possible and likely to happen if not with Tesla than with some other proprietor. We've already seen something like this happen with a flight simulator (the proprietor indiscriminately distributed password-reading malware to all of their users as part of the standard install, and alleges that they only used the power of that malware against those who shared copies with others. Those users were smeared with the propaganda term "pirates"). It happens with each DRM story (for example: Neverwinter Nights 1 & 2, Microsoft Flight Simulator X, Swat 4, Sniper Elite, Hidden and Dangerous 2, Wings of War, Star Wars: Battlefront are no longer able to find and/or host multiplayer games. Proprietor, UK game developer Rebellion, tried to pass blame for this off onto their provider GLU Mobile instead of recognizing how they set the stage for this to happen early on by selling their users free software which would have allowed users to host their own multiplayer servers or pick another server).

I hope Tesla releases free software for all of the software in Tesla vehicles and thus frees Tesla car owners to protect themselves from precisely what you describe.

The only thing I think might play out differently: the proprietor won't be so forthcoming about why as you describe. The use of structurally abusive power (such as pulling people's purchased books from their eBook readers via DRM as was done with "1984") often happens with no explanation and some users are naive enough to not demand better.

That's the power of proprietary software and a big part of the practical reason why we should all value software freedom for its own sake, run free software systems, and champion software freedom to others.

Agreed. Better an OTA update than having to wait at a dealer for recall work.

There is nothing wrong with being required to take you car in to get an update for something that need to pass certain safety standards.

Do you want OTA updates from Boeing or Airbus?

From what I have read on another post on HN, Waymo specifically does not have the ability to do OTA updates although the car is connected all the time.