"Digital License Plates: Will This New Way to Track Vehicles Enhance or Undermine Privacy?"
California began allowing drivers to purchase digital license plates from a company named Reviver in 2022, joining Michigan and Arizona in permitting such plates. The plates are miniature television screens that replace traditional metal license plates. They include Bluetooth and LTE connectivity similar to that of cell phones. The wired variant includes a built-in GPS tracker. The plates offer various functions that drivers may find useful, including displaying personalized messages, making automatic toll and parking payments, summoning roadside assistance, and conducting car diagnostics. An associated mobile app allows drivers to choose the border and letter colors and register their vehicles. In addition, the license plate can be traced through wireless technology if the vehicle is stolen. However, a team of "white hat" hackers discovered that the connectivity of these plates poses privacy problems. The researchers revealed that they could gain "super administrative access" to Reviver's systems, granting them access to sensitive data and capabilities. With their credentials, they were able to track the GPS location of all Reviver customers, overwrite data, and alter the personalized message included on license plates. This article continues to discuss the security and privacy risks associated with digital license plates.