Hacker News

points by kevin_thibedeau 2 days ago | 0 comments

> There is definitely a national program tracking license plates

They track everyone's phone. The plate cross reference is only needed to nab someone in traffic.

Phones aren't always a guarantee so they moved to alternative tracking methods.

TPMS sensors: Modern vehicles have tire-pressure sensors in or near each wheel. Many transmit a unique sensor ID by short-range radio. Bartec describes diagnostic equipment being capable of displaying both the vehicle's VIN and TPMS sensor IDs.

Application from Tortured Genius Enterprises LLC, describes a system intended to:

intercept TPMS radio transmissions from passing vehicles;

extract the sensors' unique identifiers;

associate those identifiers with a particular vehicle;

determine vehicle location;

connect the identifier with outside databases;

potentially retrieve make, model, VIN and owner information;

maintain historical observations;

predict future locations/behavior;

direct law enforcement to intercept a vehicle.

https://networks.imdea.org/your-cars-tire-sensors-could-be-u...

[–] wil421 1 day ago

Why would they do any of that when they can track your phone? There’s a 911 equipment that can position you inside a building when you call 911. The systems are already out here you don’t need a not-the-FBI unmarked van taking TPMS readings.

Look up NextNav.

[–] ProllyInfamous 2 days ago

I don't own a cell phone, and I don't display a plate on my generic vehicle.

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No illusions that I'm not also traceable. Tracked.

[–] HWR_14 2 days ago

> I don't display a plate on my generic vehicle.

So, no need for a pretextual stop. You are giving them a real reason to pull you over at any time.

[–] ProllyInfamous 1 day ago

Correct; everything else is "above board" (e.g: insured, registered).

In Tennessee, the first two offenses for improper display of license plate are $10 & $20 fines, respectively (but obviously this allows them to initiate a traffic stop; a younger-me couldn't afford this risk). In the past year+, a dozen officers have ignored my plateless transgressions.

This has the side-effect of encouraging me to obey most traffic laws more rigorously (e.g: I speed less, am generally less-aggressive).

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I am a middle-aged fat bald white dude in the US South – I'm practically invisible!

FYI: Halloween is officially "Drive without a License Plate Day" (to protest FLOCK cameras)

[–] wildzzz 1 day ago

"hey there goes that guy with no plates again"

[–] a_e_k 1 day ago

https://xkcd.com/1105/

[–] 1over137 2 days ago

> I don't display a plate on my generic vehicle

Sovereign citizen?

[–] Melatonic 2 days ago

Or he rides a bicycle

[–] ProllyInfamous 1 day ago

I own a bike, too, but my car also doesn't have plates attached (it is registered & insured, though).