Who might be keeping track of where you drive?

[Blue Diadem]

OHIO STATE PATROL
License-plate scanners lead to recovery of stolen vehicles


snip:

For the test, Automatic Plate Recognition scanners were mounted at the turnpike's entrance plazas near the Pennsylvania and Indiana borders and in two state patrol cruisers. The devices scanned all license plates and compared the results with lists of vehicles "wanted" because they were reported stolen, the license plates were reported stolen, or authorities had arrest warrants for the registered owners.

snip:

At its start, the experiment was denounced by civil liberties interests, on the grounds that it could be used to compile surveillance records of all vehicular activity.

Jeff Gamso, the Ohio legal director for the American Civil Liberties Union, said he is "still skeptical" that the technology's application won't eventually be extended beyond identifying stolen cars or wanted drivers.

"Good for them for having recovered stolen cars," Mr. Gamso said. "But I remain concerned about the incremental invasion of people's privacy."

The rest of the story here:
http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050105/NEWS11/501050412/-1/ARCHIVES30

[ThorsHammer]

1. Can't the GPS things track you too?

[Blue Diadem]

3. From what I've heard

I believe they can..but that is something you would know was in your vehicle or in your cell phone. I just recently learned that some cell phones have the ability when my son got new one.

[MadHound]

2. Oh don't worry, this is a temporary thing

It is designed to last only until GPS units are mandatory in all new cars. Then whoever has the access will be able to track you in real time, whereever you go. Another reason that I won't ever have an OnStar or other such device in my car. If worse comes to worse, I'll start driving my old '49 DeSoto around, no funky tracking electronics there.

[BiggJawn]

4. Oh, NOTHING to worry about! Continue to watch your "Reality TV"...

"While the highway patrol promises that any data about vehicles that doesn't generate a "wanted" match is not retained, Mr. Gamso said, "What I'd like to know is that they're continuing to 'lose' that information three years from now."

You and me both, Mr. Gamso, you and me both, Bro....

makes me wanna buy one of these things...

[MsTryska]

5. i thought this would be about OnStar. nt

nt

[mcscajun]

6. Who else? The E-Z Pass system, that's who.

I have one of these and even knowing what I know, I wouldn't give it up.

I also know that at the very least NY and NJ already have sensors all over the major roads, not just at the toll plazas, so they can very easily (if they wanted to, they Claim they are Not doing it...yet) trail your vehicle's movements.

The surveillance society is here already.

[Zenlitened]

7. I'm dreading the day E-Z pass, and systems like it...

... are used to issue speeding tickets.

One look at the time/location entering the highway and the time/location exiting... well, it's pretty clear when you haven't been doing the speed limit!

That's the thing that would make me toss E-Z pass.

[mcscajun]

9. I haven't been hit with one of those yet.

Thank goodness.

But only because the states I pass through (for the most part) aren't doing that yet.

On a run from NJ to Quantico, VA, though...I'm definitely doing a good clip (although I usually make some pit stops, maybe that skews the readings.)

[Swamp Rat]

8. HA! It'll be hard to use on we cyclists.

Anyway, one could put a big blob of mud or clay on a couple of numbers. If stopped, they'll have a HARD time trying to prove the mud got there by the driver's hand... unless left unwashed. :D