TechCrunch Industry News Tesla will only offer subscriptions for FSD (Supervised) going forward; plus, parents can block kids from watching Shorts
Jan 14, 2026
Tesla is making waves by transitioning to a subscription-only model for its Full Self-Driving feature, which could impact Elon Musk's massive pay package and the company's legal challenges. This shift aims to increase revenue while potentially reducing liability issues from previous autonomy commitments. Meanwhile, YouTube introduces new parental controls for Shorts, allowing parents to limit screen time and monitor usage, keeping kids' viewing in check. Dive into these tech trends as they reshape the landscape!
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Tesla Moves FSD To Subscription Only
- Tesla will stop selling FSD as a one-time purchase and switch to subscription-only starting Feb 14.\n- The move could boost adoption and recurring revenue while helping Musk hit subscription targets for his pay package.
Low Adoption Drives Pricing Shift
- Low adoption prompted the shift: CFO said only 12% of Tesla customers bought FSD.\n- Subscription pricing could raise active users and help meet the 10 million FSD subscription goal tied to Musk's pay package.
Subscription Model As Legal Hedge
- Going subscription-only may limit legal exposure tied to promises of full autonomy.\n- Tesla sold hardware-software future capability claims that haven't been delivered, fueling lawsuits and regulatory actions.