An Audi customer says an AI camera monitored her inside a loaner car, recording everything she does behind the wheel.
The system can detect distractions and store hundreds of hours of video.
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The woman, who asked to remain anonymous, received the 2026 Audi Q7 as a loaner while her own car was being repaired.
She soon noticed a large square unit mounted on the passenger side of the windshield, bristling with cameras and microphones.
She described the device as the “eye of Sauron” and said it captures her every move.
The camera, a Lytx DriveCam, records both the road ahead and the driver and occupants.
It uses machine vision and AI to monitor driver behavior, issuing audible alerts for actions like holding a phone, following too closely, rolling through stop signs, or speeding.
The woman works in healthcare and is bound by privacy laws that prevent her from discussing cases around others.
Because the camera records everything, she says she can no longer take or place work calls in the Audi, even hands-free.
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She worries this could delay patient care.
It remains unclear who installed the camera. Lytx primarily markets its products to commercial fleets, and Audi does not appear among its listed partners.
This suggests the dealership may have added the system, though that has not been confirmed.
Legal experts note that fleet monitoring cameras are generally permitted in many U. S.
jurisdictions, and drivers may be considered to have consented by operating the vehicle. However, the woman says she was not informed about the camera before driving the loaner.
Carscoops contacted Audi to ask whether it had any involvement with the monitoring system, whether customers are informed about such cameras, and whether drivers can disable or opt out of the recording.
Audi responded briefly, saying it is looking into the situation and will provide more information soon.
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This suggests the camera may have been installed by the dealer rather than Audi itself.
