Utopia Tech
StrategyAI-assisted1 min read

Enhanced License Plate Tracking

Surveillance company Leonardo is developing SignalTrace technology that augments automatic license plate readers (ALPRs) with Bluetooth sensors to capture unique identifiers from mobile phones and wearables in passing vehicles. This enhancement transforms ALPRs from vehicle-tracking devices into tools capable of identifying and tracking specific individuals, significantly expanding law enforcement

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Utopia Tech

June 11, 2026 · 1 min read

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The surveillance company Leonardo wants more data : A surveillance company plans to add sensors to automatic license plate readers (ALPRs) that would mean the devices, as well as capture the license plate 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 technology, called SignalTrace, would turn ALPR cameras from devices focused on tracking cars to ones that can more readily track the location of particular people. ALPR cameras have become a commonly deployed technology all across the U. S.

; SignalTrace would make some of those cameras capable of collecting much more data. Yes, it’s bad that more companies are collecting this level of surveillance data. But all of this pales in comparison to the type and quantity of data our smartphones already collect about us.

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Originally published at schneier.com

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