Tesla said it didn't have key data in a fatal crash, then a hacker found it

Do I understand it correctly? Crash data gets automatically transmitted to Tesla, and after it was transmitted is immediately marked for deletion?

If that is actually designed like this, the only reason I could see for it would be so that Tesla has sole access to the data and can decide whether to use it or not. Which really should not work in court, but it seems it has so far.

And of course I'd expect an audit trail for the deletion of crash data on Tesla servers. But who knows whether there actually isn't one, or nobody looked into it at all.

>> Tesla has sole access to the data

All vehicle manufacturers have sole access to data. There isn't a standard for logging data, nor a standard for retrieving it. Some components log data and it only the supplier has the means to read and interpret it.

Mostly incorrect. At least for the US.

If your car has an EDR, what data it collects is legislated. There is not a standard interface for retrieving it, but the manufacturer is required to ensure that there is a commercially available tool for data retrieval that any third party can use.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-V/p...

It looks like this covers "and an unloaded vehicle weight of 2,495 kg (5,500 pounds) or less". From what I understand even my F-150 wouldn't fall under this legislation

Unloaded vehicle weight, not gross vehicle weight.

From a quick search, it's technically possible to configure some model year F-150s to have a curb weight over 5,500 pounds with all the right options, but most are lower.