Finance

German authorities drop probe over alleged recording at Tesla works council meeting 

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on March 27, 2026

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· Last updated: April 1, 2026

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German authorities drop probe over alleged recording at Tesla works council meeting 
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FRANKFURT, March 27 (Reuters) - German authorities have dropped a probe over Tesla's allegations that an IG Metall trade union member secretly recorded a works council meeting in an acrimonious tussle

German Authorities End Probe Into Tesla Works Council Meeting Allegations

Investigation Details and Outcomes

Background of the Probe

FRANKFURT, March 27 (Reuters) - German authorities have dropped a probe over Tesla's allegations that an IG Metall trade union member secretly recorded a works council meeting in an acrimonious tussle for unionisation at the electric-vehicle maker's plant near Berlin.

Tesla's Criminal Complaint

The company in February filed a criminal complaint, accusing the union representative of illegally recording the meeting on a laptop computer.

Findings from Police Investigation

The prosecutors' office in the eastern city of Frankfurt an der Oder told Reuters on Friday that police officers had found no indication that the device's microphone had been active during the time in question or that any recording had been made.

Next Steps for Prosecutors

The findings were preliminary but once prosecutors receive the full police report, they expect to wrap up the case soon, said a spokeswoman for the office.

Context: Unionisation Efforts at Tesla

Germany's powerful metalworkers' union IG Metall earlier this month suffered a setback at Tesla Germany's works council elections, after a campaign marked by mud-slinging and legal challenges.

(Reporting by Ludwig Burger, editing by Thomas Seythal)

Key Takeaways

  • Prosecutors in Frankfurt (Oder) found no signs that the laptop’s microphone was active or that any recording occurred.
  • The probe’s findings are preliminary, but once the full police report is reviewed, the case is expected to be closed.
  • The decision emerges amid a broader contentious battle over unionisation at Tesla’s Grünheide plant, where IG Metall suffered a setback in recent works council elections.

References

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did German authorities drop the probe at Tesla's Berlin plant?
Authorities found no evidence of a secret recording taking place during the works council meeting at Tesla's Berlin-area plant.
What were the allegations made by Tesla at the works council meeting?
Tesla accused an IG Metall union member of illegally recording the works council meeting using a laptop computer.
Did investigators find any evidence of recording devices being active?
Police found no indication that the laptop's microphone was active or that any recording had been made during the meeting.

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