New licence plate cameras could let police track phones and car systems

A new surveillance technology being promoted by defence contractor Leonardo could allow automatic licence plate readers to track not only vehicles but also the devices carried by their occupants.

According to a report by 404 Media, the technology, known as SignalTrace, combines licence plate cameras with sensors capable of detecting unique identifiers linked to phones, tablets, wearables, AirTags and vehicle electronics.

The system is being marketed to police, border security and other government agencies already using Leonardo's products.

According to 404 Media, the aim is to “bridge the gap between vehicle and occupant.”

The report says the technology could also identify Bluetooth headphones, in-car infotainment systems, 5G hotspots, tyre pressure monitoring sensors and even pet microchips.

Privacy advocates have long warned about the growing use of automatic licence plate readers.

The Electronic Frontier Foundation previously found that repeated tracking of vehicles could reveal a person's “pattern of life” and identify people they regularly interact with.

Leonardo received a patent for the technology two years ago. In a statement announcing the milestone, the company said its system “captures device frequencies emitted into the air” and “does not decrypt or capture the contents of the devices or their communications.”

Critics argue that despite those limitations, the technology could significantly expand surveillance capabilities and raise new concerns over digital privacy.