Rep. Buddy Carter Asks DOT to Probe Overseas “Remote Assistance Operators” in U.S. Robotaxi Fleets A House Republican has pushed the Department of Transportation to investigate whether autonomous-vehicle companies are outsourcing remote assistance to foreign-based operators — a practice that has drawn fresh congressional scrutiny after recent Senate testimony revealed overseas human involvement in U.S. robotaxi operations. Rep. Buddy Carter (R‑GA) sent a letter to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy asking the department to review the use of foreign-based Remote Assistance Operators (RAOs) by AV firms operating on American public roads. The request, shared exclusively with Decrypt and seen by the outlet, comes after Waymo’s chief safety officer, Dr. Mauricio Peña, testified under oath before the Senate Commerce Committee that the company employs remote operators, including staff in the Philippines, to assist in complex driving scenarios. Peña insisted the remote workers “provide guidance, they do not remotely drive the vehicles,” and that Waymo’s systems remain “always in charge of the dynamic driving task.” Still, Carter says the revelation raises hard questions about what “self-driving” really means — and who is making life-or-death decisions when such systems require human help. Why Carter wants a probe - Safety and situational awareness: Carter warned that decisions on U.S. roads “may be influenced—or directly controlled—by individuals who are not Americans, are not subject to U.S. jurisdiction, and may not understand English, our road signs, and American traffic laws.” He said that raises “serious and reasonable concerns about roadway safety, situational awareness, and national security.” - Precedent and language risks: Citing an October fatal crash on California’s I-10 involving a commercial driver with limited English, Carter said that RAOs working in “complex or high-stakes environments such as interstates, construction zones, and school zones” should be held to the same language and competency standards as domestic drivers. - Accountability and allegiance: The letter warns overseas operators “may have no allegiance to the U.S. or regard for passenger safety,” creating the risk that reckless decisions could be made by people who won’t face U.S. legal consequences. - Privacy and data access: Carter asked the DOT to determine whether audio or video captured by AVs is “recorded, stored, or accessed by foreign personnel,” noting that vehicles might pass near federal facilities or national defense infrastructure and that passengers “deserve clear answers regarding their privacy.” “Users of autonomous vehicle services are currently in the dark about their safety and privacy when it comes to RAOs,” Carter told Decrypt. “We know there have been instances of fatal or near-fatal crashes involving AVs, and we cannot wait for a confirmed threat to the U.S. or fatal accident involving a remote foreign driver to act.” He added, “This is a matter of safety and national security, and the Department of Transportation has every right to get to the bottom of how this technology is being used and what threat it poses to passengers and pedestrians alike.” Context for crypto and tech watchers For a tech- and privacy-minded audience, the issue touches on several familiar themes: cross-border data access, jurisdictional control over automated systems, and the opaque interplay between automated decision-making and human intervention. As AV companies scale and integrate remote human oversight, questions about who can see, influence, or control those systems — and under what legal framework — are increasingly urgent. Waymo has been approached for comment. Congressional attention on remote operators intensified after Peña’s Senate testimony earlier this month confirmed Waymo’s use of remote assistance, including overseas staff, while maintaining that the vehicles retain control of driving tasks. Jason Nelson contributed to this reporting. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

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