Waymo Admits Using Remote Overseas Operators to Guide Self-Driving Cars

Senators raise concerns over cybersecurity risks and loss of American jobs

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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During a Senate hearing, Waymo's chief safety officer acknowledged that the company hires remote human operators based in the Philippines to provide guidance to its self-driving vehicles in 'difficult driving situations.' Senators expressed concerns over the potential cybersecurity vulnerabilities and the loss of American jobs to overseas workers.

Why it matters

The revelation that Waymo, a leading self-driving car company, relies on remote overseas operators to assist its autonomous vehicles raises questions about the safety and security of self-driving technology. Senators also voiced concerns that this practice could lead to the displacement of American taxi and rideshare drivers.

The details

Waymo's chief safety officer, Mauricio Peña, confirmed during the Senate hearing that the company uses remote human operators, called 'fleet response agents,' to provide additional input and guidance to Waymo's self-driving vehicles in complex driving scenarios. Peña stated that some of these remote operators are based in the Philippines, but he did not provide the exact percentage of overseas workers. Senators argued that this practice could introduce cybersecurity risks and that the information received by the remote operators may be out of date, potentially compromising the safety of the vehicles.

  • The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held a hearing on the future of self-driving cars on Wednesday, February 6, 2026.

The players

Waymo

A subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., Google's parent company, and a leading self-driving car company.

Mauricio Peña

The chief safety officer for Waymo.

Ed Markey

Democratic senator from Massachusetts who pressed Waymo on its use of remote overseas operators.

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What they’re saying

“Having people overseas influencing American vehicles is a safety issue. The information the operators receive could be out of date. It could introduce tremendous cyber security vulnerabilities. We don't know if these people have US driver's licenses!”

— Ed Markey, U.S. Senator

“And let's not forget that Waymo is trying to replace the jobs of hardworking taxi and rideshare drivers. Now you're saying of the human beings, the human jobs, that remain in the system, you are shipping them overseas!”

— Ed Markey, U.S. Senator

What’s next

The Senate committee is expected to further investigate Waymo's use of remote overseas operators and the potential implications for safety, cybersecurity, and American jobs.

The takeaway

Waymo's reliance on remote human operators based in the Philippines to guide its self-driving vehicles raises significant concerns about the safety and security of autonomous technology, as well as the potential displacement of American workers in the transportation industry.