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Tesla registers “watchdog” domain names

Tesla registers “watchdog” domain names

Was it defensive or a clue regarding a fresh service?

Four Tesla cars at a supercharger

Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) has registered a handful of domain names with the word “watchdog” in them. A few days back, the firm registered these domain names:

teslamotorswatchdog.com
teslamotorswatchdog.net
teslawatchdog.net
tslawatchdog.com
tslawatchdog.net
tzlawatchdog.com
tzlawatchdog.net

There are two possible reasons the firm registered these domains.

First, it might be a defensive move to keep others from using these domains to criticize Tesla with a “watchdog” site. It’s worth noting that someone previously registered TeslaWatchdog.com, although that site is not active.

The other is that Tesla is working on a product named Watchdog. The firm by now offers a feature called Sentry Mode that uses the car’s cameras to record any activity around the car. Watchdog could be another type of security service.

When I search Google for “Tesla watchdog”, all of the results are regarding regulators and other complaint sites.

It appears the registrations were limited to .com and .net, which is a bit unusual.

Also on the wire

Other reporting from the domain desk.

PServicesParking Dots vs. Parking SiteBUncategorizedBackpack Girl, Google and more: June’s Top Domain Name StoriesMUncategorizedMashable Duped by Fake NewsMarchex Revenue Falls 44%UncategorizedMarchex Revenue Falls 44%Name saved in cybersquatting dispute — GNP.com domainUncategorizedName saved in cybersquatting dispute — GNP.com domain2Uncategorized2 and The Multi-Screen Household — The iPadCUncategorizedContract for Puerto Rico’s .PR domain — Afilias getsCUncategorizedChange your name. Get the .Com: Paul GrahamTUncategorizedThis stretch’s fresh TLDs: .Law, .Abogado