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Submitted by an Anonymous Coward:
https://www.wired.com/story/license-plate-readers-political-signs-bumper-stickers/
AI-powered cameras on cars and trucks have been used to capture images of political signs, individuals wearing T-shirts with text, and vehicles displaying pro-abortion bumper stickers. The data, reviewed by WIRED, shows how a tool originally designed for traffic enforcement has evolved into a system capable of monitoring 'speech' protected by the US Constitution.
[...] Another image taken on a different day by a different vehicle shows a "Steelworkers for Harris-Walz" sign stuck in the lawn in front of someone's home. A construction worker, with his face unblurred, is pictured near another Harris sign. Other photos show Trump and Biden (including "Fuck Biden") bumper stickers on the back of trucks and cars across America. One photo, taken in November 2023, shows a partially torn bumper sticker supporting the Obama-Biden lineup.
These images were generated by AI-powered cameras mounted on cars and trucks, initially designed to capture license plates, but which are now photographing political lawn signs outside private homes, individuals wearing T-shirts with text, and vehicles displaying pro-abortion bumper stickers—all while recording the precise locations of these observations.
The detailed photographs all surfaced in search results produced by DRN Data, a license-plate-recognition (LPR) company owned by Motorola Solutions. The LPR system can be used by private investigators, repossession agents, and insurance companies. However, files shared with WIRED by artist Julia Weist show that those with access to the LPR system can search for common phrases or names, such as those of politicians, and be served with photographs where the search term is present, even if it is not displayed on license plates. The research also reveals the extent to which surveillance is happening on a mass scale in the quiet streets of America, and how people's personal political views and homes can be recorded into vast databases that can be queried.
(Score: 4, Interesting) by srobert on Tuesday October 08 2024, @02:26PM (2 children)
All sorts of nefarious actors can get all sorts of information from your license plate. Yet, it my state, I couldn't use a license plate number to get any information from the DMV or police about the driver who sideswiped my truck damaging the tail light and fender and ripping off half his bumper, because of privacy laws. That was a year ago I still have half his bumper. I'd like to return it, but the cops told me I'd pretty much have to hire a private detective to find out who owned the vehicle. They're too busy to pursue a minor damage hit and run.
(Score: 4, Interesting) by Thexalon on Tuesday October 08 2024, @04:04PM
My sister was intentionally rammed by a driver while biking to work. The cops arrived quickly, witnesses confirmed her version of events, she had both a description of the vehicle and part of the license plate.
And the cops decided to do ... Absolutely nothing. My sister wasn't seriously injured because she managed to maneuver out of the worst of it, so an intentional vehicular assault wasn't considered a real problem in the cop's eyes.
Cops aren't there to protect the public.
"Think of how stupid the average person is. Then realize half of 'em are stupider than that." - George Carlin
(Score: 3, Interesting) by RS3 on Wednesday October 09 2024, @02:00AM
It's getting more and more complicated. I don't like the distinction between "civil" and "criminal" situations. If I steal from a store, I'm a criminal? But if it's proven that someone is looking at a phone and crashes, it's not criminal?
Cops pretty much only deal with criminal cases. Civil damages just aren't their domain.
Long complicated back story, but a few years ago I was in a situation where someone did something criminal, so I called the local DA. They told me I had to take it to civil court, and if I won, they'd look into it. Even though I had solid evidence of criminal stuff. Crazy "legal" "justice" system we have.
I'm not aware of any "privacy laws". As far as I can tell, the cops just don't care and don't want to help you. A few states allow you to file a private criminal complaint. IE, no need for police / DA involvement.
I highly recommend everyone buy a dashcam. Preferably also with rear facing camera. I'm pretty sure "hit and run" is criminal, but without video evidence the hit and run person might be able to defend themselves. IANAL but I believe you must identify someone in court to be able to win a case. So even with a dashcam you might not be able to prove who was driving.
But you might if you can get the evidence the cops have access to. A work friend was recently stopped by a cop (he's a bit of a nut driver). The cop asked him a lot of questions, including where he was coming from. It's not their business, but it's not a good time to be difficult. Anyway, work friend gave evasive answers and the cop told him he was lying, and showed him a tablet with a history of where he had just been, and very clear pics of his face in the car. The surveillance state is here, now.