Automated license plate recognition systems or ALPR’s have become almost ubiquitous among law enforcement around the country in major cities, although some cities are pushing back, reducing their use, because of security issues.
There’s a new wrinkle for the ALPR that to my way of thinking is actually a little bit frightening. We’ll see what you think.
Here is what’s coming.
According to 404media.co,
‘A surveillance company plans to add sensors to automatic license plate readers, ALPR’s, that would mean the devices, as well as capturing license plates of passing vehicles, would also sweep up unique identifiers of mobile phones, wearables and other Bluetooth enabled devices in those cars, potentially letting law enforcement identify specific drivers or passengers.’
The name of the company is Leonardo, and their “Signal Trace System” promises to do all of this.
Leonardo’s website describes the product and lists its capabilities. Capturing the license plate and then correlating all the EM emissions from the car to that license plate, cellphone, airPods, fitness trackers, and smartwatches.
They also claim that the system will detect what is called “non-contact RFID Devices” like tire pressure air sensors on your car, the ID badge that you might carry around for work, even the microchip that you might have in your pet. Interestingly, what they don’t admit that they can pick up is the RFID on your credit cards. (Is that also possible?)
The idea is with all of this information; they can probably ID the people in the car.
Leonardo’s website explains it this way.
“While 70 cars in 100 may contain iPhones, only one will have an iPhone 13rev2, an Audi radio, a pair of Bose headphones, a Garmin sports watch, a key finder, and the license plate ABC-1234. The collection of data represented by these specific things is an electronic signature.”
Now, if you find this just a little bit alarming, you’re not alone.
It’s safe to say that as these systems go into place in cities around our country. There’s not going to be a whole lot of fanfare when they’re introduced and turned on.
I have no problem with law enforcement taking a picture of my license plate as I drive past an ALPR in a speed zone. I mean, I’m the only one who drives the car; they know it’s me. What I don’t like is their ability to intrude on what devices and RFID chips might be present in my car.
What do you think about this?
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