Waymo, the leading robotaxi operator in the United States, has denounced the increasing acts of vandalism targeting its self-driving vehicles, describing such incidents as criminal and unacceptable. The company’s co-CEO, Tekedra Mawakana, made the remarks on the sidelines of TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, following another attack on one of its cars in Los Angeles over the weekend. “Vandalism is a crime, and we’re working closely with law enforcement to pursue those responsible,” Mawakana said, stressing that damage to autonomous vehicles “is not okay” and will not be tolerated.
The attacks on Waymo’s fleet come amid growing tensions over privacy and surveillance during the second Trump administration, particularly as federal deportation efforts intensify. Protesters have expressed concerns that autonomous vehicles equipped with cameras could be used for government surveillance. This broader distrust of technology companies perceived to enable monitoring has fueled a wave of public backlash, with several Waymo cars vandalized or set ablaze in recent months.
During a main stage interview, Mawakana reaffirmed Waymo’s stance on data protection, noting that the company refuses government requests for footage that are “overly broad or unlawful.” She emphasized that while Waymo cooperates with authorities to address criminal acts, it remains committed to upholding privacy rights. “It doesn’t matter whose fleet it is — damaging property is not acceptable,” she said, underscoring the company’s zero-tolerance policy toward vandalism.
To help rebuild public trust and foster community integration, Waymo has launched creative initiatives such as partnering with local artists to design vehicle exteriors, aiming to make its fleet more relatable and less intimidating. Despite these efforts, Mawakana acknowledged that concerns remain and called for stronger collaboration with local first responders to prevent further incidents. “People don’t want violence in their cities — it doesn’t make anyone safer. We don’t want it either,” she concluded.