Turning License Plate Cameras into People Trackers
Law enforcement agencies are increasingly concerned that standard license plate readers are evolving into sophisticated tools for tracking specific individuals. A new capability from surveillance firm Leonardo could transform these cameras from simple vehicle identifiers into devices that map the movements of people inside them.
The SignalTrace Upgrade
The technology, named SignalTrace, aims to repurpose Automatic License Plate Readers (ALPRs) to scan for unique digital signatures beyond just vehicle registration numbers. Currently, ALPRs are ubiquitous across the United States, primarily used to monitor traffic and enforce parking laws. SignalTrace would allow these existing units to harvest data from Bluetooth-enabled gadgets, effectively turning a road checkpoint into a personal surveillance node.
According to a product document provided by Leonardo, the system is designed to merge license plate recognition with sensor data. This fusion creates a distinct “electronic fingerprint” for investigative purposes. The goal is to link a specific plate to the occupants within, regardless of who is driving.
What Data Is Being Collected?
The scope of data harvesting is extensive. The product sheet indicates that SignalTrace can detect:
- RFID tags found in key cards and pet microchips
- Bluetooth devices such as wireless headphones, fitness trackers, and smartphones
- Vehicle components including tire pressure sensors and infotainment systems
- Wi-Fi sources like vehicle hotspots and laptops
By correlating these identifiers with a detected license plate and timestamped location, the system claims to maintain a persistent record of who was in the car. The documentation states that when multiple devices move consistently with a vehicle, their algorithms bind those devices to the plate’s location history.
This approach offers a workaround for privacy-conscious drivers. Even if a suspect changes their plate or removes it entirely, the persistent electronic fingerprint of their personal devices could still trace their movements back to the vehicle.
Leonardo stores this correlation data securely within its Enterprise Operations Center (EOC) for future queries. The company markets its ALPR cameras and communications gear to law enforcement, border security, and various government bodies. Procurement records show its US arm holds contracts with the Special Operations Command and the General Services Administration.
A Pattern of Expansion
Leonardo is not the first firm to attempt this expansion. 404 Media has previously reported on other ALPR vendors seeking to bridge the gap between cars and occupants. Flock, for instance, developed a system called Nova intended to supplement plate data with personal information. After 404 Media exposed the company’s plan to utilise data from previous breaches to “jump from LPR to person,” Flock announced it would stop using that specific hacked dataset.
Leonardo did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding the new SignalTrace capabilities.
Key takeaways
- Leonardo’s SignalTrace upgrades license plate readers to scan for Bluetooth and RFID signals, creating an “electronic fingerprint” to identify specific drivers or passengers.
- The technology allows investigators to track individuals even if they change their license plates, by linking the movement of personal devices to the vehicle’s location history.
- Similar strategies have been attempted by other vendors like Flock, though some have retreated from the most aggressive data-harvesting plans following media scrutiny.
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