Is there a license plate reader blocker available?

Question

I just read a very interesting article in Popular Science about repo trucks and their new auto-scanning license plate cameras.

The cameras are mounted on all four corners of their trucks, as as they drive around they automatically scan any license plate number that comes into vision and compares it with an online database of 1.8 billion other scans. (Even though there a quarter of a billion cars in total in the U.S., vehicles are often scanned up to a dozen times or more.) A single truck can scan as many as 8,000 plates in one day.

If he gets a hit, a notification comes up on the repo driver's screen telling him the vehicle is past due. Otherwise, the data gets saved and sent back to the database along with the license plate number, GPS coordinates of the scan, and a time stamp. Using this data, repo firms can build profiles predicting a driver's home address, workplace, favorite restaurant, gym, etc. The system was so effective firms started hiring "scouts" to drive around with a $23,000 camera suite just to suck up license plates all day.

These databases came online for use by any paying customer (usually repo firms) in the early 2000s, and by 2009 repos were purchasing their own camera systems to be installed on trucks. It's safe to assume law enforcement has been playing this game even earlier, and possibly have special access to other license plate databases.

So, what would be the most discreet way to defend against such blatant data-mining attacks? I don't mind answering questions to LE, but like most of the equipment and tools I own that some would consider "iffy" (even if they're just ignorant of the law), I'd rather avoid unnecessary attention to it if I can. If the final thing could look like a bedazzled license-plate frame that would be great.

I own my car in full and don't have any debt, but the data-capture is indiscriminate. Nobody knows how these databases are secured, who has access, or if there are backdoors installed.

I'd rather just "opt-out".

I'm wondering the cleanest way to non-confrontationally "mask" my plate to such scans. The cameras they show in the pictures use IR lights (usually for night vision), so I'm wondering if a sufficiently bright IR light near my license plate would obscure the camera from reading all the numbers?

IR light would mean it wouldn't be visible to the human eye, and if the camera couldn't get a read, it would just give up. Cameras collect data in frames, sending them to a processing unit that analyzes each frame looking for a recognizable pattern — like a license plate — so every frame that doesn't contain one is technically a "failed scan".

Is it possible to have a light bright enough? I would need a prototype and a camera that picks up IR to test it, so I was wondering if anybody else has more understanding or experience with this already?

Anisha Dalal · Accepted Answer

Regarding license plate reader blocker, there is an increasing effort by the states to design license plates to specifically reflect infrared light in the near-infrared spectrum and be easily recognizable to the OCR (optical character recognition) function of these systems. Plates that have very light solid light backgrounds and dark characters are the easiest to read as these systems rely on sufficient contrast between them.

If you have an ability to acquire a specialty plate issue by the state this would make if harder for these systems to function. The most desired plates, for a motorist concerned with maximizing their privacy, would be those with complex (ie; “noisy) backgrounds and holographic elements. Another step a motorist can take to make it harder on these systems is to incorporate a bracket whose edges encroach on the numbers and letters themselves and the state to which the plate is registered.

As the technology has evolved, these systems are transitioning to infrared imaging. Since these systems operate in the infrared spectrum of light, their use is undetectable and invisible to the naked eye. and can be even be used very discretely in the darkness of the night. Fortunately, the countermeasure industry and those concerned about taking back our privacy rights have devised several solutions to this growing threat to our civil liberties.

There are some active systems (also called ALPR blockers or ALPR jammers) that are available that flash-back when flashes are detected, but we haven’t found them to be sufficiently reliable in preventing plates from being read or photographed. Now that many of these systems have shifted to using IR photography and IR-flash photograpy, these ALPR jammers are unfortunately even less effective as they are only designed to work in the visible spectrum.

Beyond an active license plate reader jammer, there is one passive solution designed to counter these systems. Veil Corporation has engineered and patented a countermeasure called the Veil Stealth Coating. Veil is a broad-band infrared-absorbing coating designed to be applied to plates and clear license plate covers and absorbs the light used by these systems. Plates which are treated will appear very dark to these systems imaging components making optical character recognition much more difficult to perform since these systems need sufficient contrast between the numbers and letters and the background of the plate. (see picture below). Veil absorbs a wide spectrum of infrared light which makes its effective at countering a variety of these systems which operate on different IR wavelengths including, 810nm, 850nm, 940nm, and 950nm.

Plate Untreated and Treated with Veil Stealth Coating as a License Plate Scanner Blocker Beyond enhancing your anonymity to these privacy invading systems, Veil has the added capability of protecting you from the use of police laser traffic speed enforcement. Police laser operates in the same spectrum of light, 904nm. The Veil stealth coating is the only countermeasure of its kind and the fact that it retails for less than $100, makes it the most cost effective multi-use countermeasure available.

The ACLU has taken notice of the privacy invasion of ALPRs but legal challenges, while they are sure to come, are going to take time to work their way through the courts.

Ranjana Admin · Answer

If you’re wondering whether a license plate reader (LPR) blocker exists, the answer is a bit tricky. While there are products marketed as blockers, their legality and effectiveness vary. Here’s what you need to know:

1. What Are License Plate Readers (LPRs)?

LPRs are used by police, toll booths, and private companies to scan and record license plates.
They work using infrared cameras and optical character recognition (OCR) to capture plate numbers, even at high speeds or in low-light conditions.

2. Are There License Plate Reader Blockers?

Yes, some products claim to block LPRs, including:

License Plate Covers – Tinted or reflective covers that make plates harder to scan.
License Plate Sprays – Clear sprays that create a glare when cameras try to capture an image.
Infrared LED Frames – Frames with infrared LEDs that "blind" infrared cameras (effective mostly at night).

3. Do These Actually Work?

Some sprays and covers partially work but are often ineffective against advanced cameras.
Infrared LED frames might work at night but not during the day.
Most LPR technology is sophisticated enough to counteract these tricks.

4. Is It Legal to Block LPRs?

Many places ban plate covers and sprays because they interfere with law enforcement.
Even if you find a product that works, using it in public could result in fines or legal trouble.
Some states allow clear covers for weather protection but prohibit anything that obscures the plate.

5. What Can You Do Instead?

If you're concerned about privacy, check if local laws allow you to opt out of private LPR databases.
Some companies let you request removal from their records.

Final Thoughts

While LPR blockers exist, their effectiveness is questionable, and they might be illegal in your area. Always check your local laws before trying anything!

Ranjana Admin · Answer

License plate readers (LPRs) are devices used for automated vehicle identification. While there are products marketed as "license plate blocker" or "license plate cover" that claim to obscure or block the readability of license plates by LPRs, it's essential to note that tampering with license plates or attempting to evade lawful surveillance may be illegal in many jurisdictions.

Additionally, the effectiveness of these products is often questionable. Law enforcement agencies and surveillance systems are continually improving their technology to overcome such obstacles. Many products marketed as license plate blockers may not provide reliable protection against LPRs, and their use may lead to legal consequences.

Instead of seeking out products to block license plate readers, individuals concerned about privacy should explore legal and regulatory avenues for protecting their rights. This may involve advocating for stricter regulations on LPR usage, supporting legislation that enhances privacy protections, and engaging in public discourse on surveillance issues.

If you have concerns about the use of LPRs in your area or believe your privacy rights are being violated, consider reaching out to local advocacy groups, legal experts, or civil liberties organizations for guidance on how to address the issue effectively and responsibly.

Is there a license plate reader blocker available?

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