this post was submitted on 08 Jun 2026
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244
This Company Will Add Phone, AirPod, and Smartwatch Trackers to License Plate Readers (www.404media.co)
submitted 2 days ago by empireOfLove2@lemmy.dbzer0.com to c/technology@lemmy.world
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[–] Hueristic_Autistic@lemmy.world 4 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

Go into developer mode on your android and you can toggle see hidden Bluetooth devices. Anyone can see all the by devices around them same with wifi. Jamming them is a federal offence; Logging them and Scanning them isn't.

Anyone can make a jammer or buy one off of aliexpress at your own expense, I stay away from them even though I've been tempted to build one. Alas, I'd rather read about people who do, than be the one who did.

[–] Formfiller@lemmy.world 3 points 1 day ago (1 children)

How does this not violate the 4th amendment?

[–] Holytimes@sh.itjust.works -1 points 18 hours ago (1 children)

Publicly accessable information in a public space isn't beholden to it.

Functionally this is no different then someone sitting in a park counting how many people are wearing a blue shirt or Nike shoes.

The problem is people don't realize how much fucking information they are just publicly broadcasting all the fucking time.

It makes you extremely identifable. Really this is more a why the fuck do devices screech into the air so much fucking information.

[–] tb_@lemmy.world 1 points 17 hours ago

Functionally this is no different then someone sitting in a park counting how many people are wearing a blue shirt or Nike shoes.

That isn't the same level of identifiable as a unique device ID/MAC/whatever though. And even if my devices weren't the issue, I wouldn't feel comfortable having an automated system logging my clothes/gait/face just because I'm out in public. Fully automated surveillance such as this ought to be it's own category.

Also I don't think you are trying to argue that it is right.

[–] underThunder@thelemmy.club 17 points 1 day ago

What disturbs me most about all the tracking and profile building that's occurring is the loss of the sense of freedom and autonomy we once had when we knew no one was watching us. Just the idea that someone could know more about us than we're willing to share or even know ourselves creates self-imposed limits on our thoughts and actions when it's essential that we maintain these freedoms.

[–] Dryad@lemmy.world 59 points 2 days ago

Tell me your country is falling into private sector authoritarianism without telling me your country is falling into private sector authoritarianism.

[–] SabinStargem@lemmy.today 14 points 1 day ago

Feudalism v3.0, the fences to keep humans as livestock are going up. Can't leave town without corporate's permission.

[–] tal@lemmy.today 11 points 1 day ago

I mean, the real sin here is from the Bluetooth SIG. If you make a radio protocol that broadcasts a unique identifier, it's going to be abused sooner or later.

Google and Apple already know where Bluetooth devices have traveled if an iOS or Android phone using Location Services has come near them at any point.

Other people, like these ALPR guys, can probably harvest a little more data from users of Bluetooth devices, but they aren't going to be the most meaningful harvester.

[–] Gormadt@slrpnk.net 14 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Looks like I'm gonna have to dig out my CD collection again. I might even still have my binder from way back when.

[–] jasoman@lemmy.world 2 points 18 hours ago

And your paper maps

[–] helpImTrappedOnline@lemmy.world 26 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (1 children)

Well that's terrible. Gonna need a Bluetooth broadcast device that send all kinds of bogus info to these things and figure out how to spoof a bluetooth mac address. or a hammer or one of them projectile shooters Americans seem to love.

Although, in an alternate timline where technology is used for good, if these things connected to the various find-my networks to help people locate their stuff, that'd be pretty cool.

[–] adespoton@lemmy.ca 13 points 2 days ago (1 children)

For MAC spoofing, just do what Apple does; randomly generate a new MAC every minute or so.

I’ve actually got an app on my phone that makes it announce itself as a whole bunch of devices from TVs to pacemakers to headphones, with a rotating MAC. It’s interesting seeing what tries to connect to it.

[–] WhyJiffie@sh.itjust.works 2 points 1 day ago

For MAC spoofing, just do what Apple does; randomly generate a new MAC every minute or so.

let's hope your headphones and such are doing that too. but realistically, probably they aren't.

[–] Warl0k3@lemmy.world 27 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (2 children)

... why, tho? Is this just an end run around the telcos, who can already get all that information but charge for it and they don't wanna pay?

[–] mangaskahn@lemmy.world 64 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (4 children)

It's because law enforcement needs way less oversight to search a database through a subscription service than to get phone data from the telcos.

[–] Tollana1234567@lemmy.today 1 points 1 day ago

likely it all goes back to use palantir , im not surprised if this is connect to the palantir AI somehow.

[–] Serinus@lemmy.world 7 points 2 days ago (3 children)

It's a good habit to keep your phone on airplane mode when you can. It also saves on battery.

[–] ranzispa@mander.xyz 4 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Doesn't that defeat the purpose of a mobile phone?

I have a machine through which people can contact me at any time and set it up in such way that they cannot contact me.

[–] Serinus@lemmy.world 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

If you have WiFi everything still works.

[–] ranzispa@mander.xyz 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

No, I can not receive calls or sms in airplane mode, even with WiFi enabled.

[–] Serinus@lemmy.world 1 points 1 day ago

Skill issue. (Kidding, mostly.)

[–] unitedwithme@lemmy.today 7 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (4 children)

+1 Phone on airplane mode (eliminates WiFi/BT GSM tracking)

  1. run physical mobile hotspot device for data (like Calyx hotspot - +2pts of you pick Moxee model to also run rayhunter)

  2. connect to hotspot over WiFi with random MAC addresses (effectively eliminates IMSI tracking)

  3. Enable a solid VPN. (Helps hide location and other usage)

  4. Use chat/text/phone apps over WiFi (eliminates carrier tracking)

  5. +5 for degoogled OS with profiles capability

  6. +3 for Firefox forks like Librewolf or Waterfox with Port Authority and Privacy Badger

[–] boonhet@sopuli.xyz 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Pretty sure I can't use VoWiFi without at least a sim card. How are you going to do that without carrier tracking?

Or are you implying I should be a recluse who can't be reached via phone?

[–] unitedwithme@lemmy.today 1 points 1 day ago

I've gone the route of setting up my own XMPP server, using jmp.chat to get a new mobile number, and using Cheogram as my client. Works really well for my alt OS phone. You can use Cheogram, Conversations, Snikket, Jabber, etc. You won't be able to use VoLTE or RCS, but I've invited friends to my server instance and just tell them it's a new chat app better than Signal so it has OMEMO e2ee, but you can also text regular phones numbers, too.

[–] XLE@piefed.social 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Currently, the mobile hotspots from Calyx use the T-Mobile network when available, and fall back to using the Sprint network otherwise.

Doesn't this ultimately just make an IMSI available anyway? Or am I missing something here?

[–] unitedwithme@lemmy.today 2 points 1 day ago

It would only expose the IMSI of the hotspot I believe, since that's a SIM card ID, I believe the IMEI would possibly be exposed, but you could also use a VPN to help. It's been a while, but check this out: https://inv.nadeko.net/RyirQOCUUK8?__goaway_challenge=js-refresh&__goaway_id=47dd286e4b20d07c3f900fbb588ada2e&__goaway_referer=https%3A%2F%2Finv.nadeko.net%2F&t=3

[–] mecen@lemmy.ca 1 points 1 day ago (4 children)

Does it also disable BT low energy?

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[–] Serinus@lemmy.world 1 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (1 children)

A little overkill for most people.

There's no IMSI tracking through WiFi afaik, only cell service.

Airplane mode, VPN, and messaging apps is pretty good. I believe randomized MAC is the default on Android so no need to modify there. (Though it's nice to disable that on your home network so you can track yourself.)

[–] unitedwithme@lemmy.today 1 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Could be overkill, but if you're out and about your cell data is likely on. Then what? Now, my phone, my laptop, or other devices can utilize it. Unlimited data.

[–] boonhet@sopuli.xyz 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

How's that different from just running the hotspot on your phone?

[–] unitedwithme@lemmy.today 1 points 1 day ago

Your phone as a hotspot still uses the data plan, so all the data you don't want going out still goes out. Using a hotspot eliminates a lot of the background data (set as metered network or use NetGuard, etc)

Check out for more details, it's been a while. It's taken me months to test this all out as I took my time, but works well

https://inv.nadeko.net/RyirQOCUUK8?__goaway_challenge=js-refresh&__goaway_id=47dd286e4b20d07c3f900fbb588ada2e&__goaway_referer=https%3A%2F%2Finv.nadeko.net%2F&t=3

[–] njordomir@lemmy.world 6 points 2 days ago (2 children)

I've been inefficiently and lazily looking for something that can automatically turn the mobile network on and off again once per hour (or other period of time, potentially even randomized times).

I have been turning my phone off every time I go to the grocer because I firsthand verified that they have BLE beacons in use.

[–] kbobabob@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 1 day ago

If you're on Android then Tasker can definitely do it. Some manufacturers such as Samsung have similar features built in now too.

[–] cheese_greater@lemmy.world 2 points 2 days ago (3 children)

You just need the worlds smallest most compact faraday container that you can easily stow it in or special faraday pocketed pants lol

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[–] tyler@programming.dev 3 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Since when does your telecom know your license plate?

[–] Warl0k3@lemmy.world 2 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

Two ways:

  1. The first is essentially the same thing as the above product, but without dedicated hardware. They can see the precise route you're traveling and compare that against already extant databases that use security cameras, ordinary highway plate readers or on police vehicles. (They also might just be given it, if you have a car with a SIM card).
  2. This is the real method: they have all your PII already, so they just buy & package it. It's not like it's a huge secret - it's pretty widely available info from insurance companies and data brokers if you're a big corpo (I think you can also get it with a public records request, though don't quote me on that).
[–] Know_not_Scotty_does@lemmy.world 18 points 2 days ago

Well, thats appalling.

[–] ExLisper@lemmy.curiana.net 6 points 1 day ago (2 children)

Who walks around with their Bluetooth turned on?

[–] sonofearth@lemmy.world 7 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Bruh I have people in my life who say "just keep it on, what's the harm?" when it takes 10s extra to connect to their headphones or cars.

[–] ExLisper@lemmy.curiana.net 6 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Don't listen to them. Turn it off.

[–] sonofearth@lemmy.world 5 points 1 day ago

I have turned it off 99% of the times these days. My bt headphones also has a wired output and I use it most of the times.

[–] XLE@piefed.social 4 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Anybody who uses an Android phone and hasn't dug into their Location Services settings, and hasn't disabled them.

[–] boonhet@sopuli.xyz 3 points 1 day ago

And anyone with iOS on default settings. For WiFi and Bluetooth, the default is that just hitting the toggle in the drawer thingy is "turn off until tomorrow".

[–] W3dd1e@lemmy.zip 9 points 2 days ago

Airplane mode at all times, apparently.

(ノಠ益ಠ)ノ彡┻━┻

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