Why obscure your license plate in photos here?

[Swede.]

Well, maybe it's an Oregon problem, because I've personally pulled information via car dealer data...

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[Baloo]

Nope. They can't get an address or any other personal information. They can only can get info about the car. It's spelled out plainly in the Driver’s Privacy Protection Act (DPPA).

Under the Driver’s Privacy Protection Act (DPPA), unauthorized people can’t access personal information from a license plate or motor vehicle record. This information includes your Social Security number (SSN), name and address, driver’s license number, and more.

You realize there are 50 states and thus 50 different laws?

 

[WoodWorks]

That is simply not true. Here in Indiana anyone can walk into the bureau of motor vehicles pay the fee and get the information.

No, they actually can't. The DPPA is a federal law, and it applies to Indiana and all of the other 49 States in the U.S. Dunno about Canada.

 

[Baloo]

No, they actually can't. The DPPV is a federal law, and it applies to Indiana and all of the other 49 States in the U.S. Dunno about Canada.

Only drivers license the feds have any control of is a CDL.

Registrations are not not a federal authority nor are regular drivers licenses.

Each state has their own laws on how they handle things.

The States have a compact between each other not involving the Federal Government.

Like I said in Indiana anyone can walk into the BMV and get any information associated with the plate.

 

[Swede.]

That is simply not true. Here in Indiana anyone can walk into the bureau of motor vehicles pay the fee and get the information.

Like most things government/public sector, you can get it thru record requests. People are just not aware of how easy it actually is to get personal information till they get in some form of trouble from it.
I used to work for a local government agency and dealt with the local police department and especially their special investigation units, and several detectives there usually did online, open source and social media searches on subjects of interest before going to specialized record. Much faster and easier they said and most people put waaaay to much information out there (which saved them a ton of time and usually gave both evidence and probable cause to move in...)

 

[Baloo]

No, they actually can't. The DPPA is a federal law, and it applies to Indiana and all of the other 49 States in the U.S. Dunno about Canada.

https://secure.in.gov/apps/bmv/inst...that the Indiana,their use and record keeping.

 

[Baloo]

Like most things government/public sector, you can get it thru record requests. People are just not aware of how easy it actually is to get personal information till they get in some form of trouble from it.
I used to work for a local government agency and dealt with the local police department and especially their special investigation units, and several detectives there usually did online, open source and social media searches on subjects of interest before going to specialized record. Much faster and easier they said and most people put waaaay to much information out there (which saved them a ton of time and usually gave both evidence and probable cause to move in...)

License plates in Indiana are public records,.

Indiana has IDACS for special Government Agencies, police ect... to use at no cost, but the public has to FOIA it and there is a charge.

 

[zach57x]

I think it's simply the least amount of info out there about you the better.

The less that big brother knows, the better imo

 

[Ranch]

License plates in Indiana are public records,.

Indiana has IDACS for special Government Agencies, police ect... to use at no cost, but the public has to FOIA it and there is a charge.

So anyone in Indiana can obtain personal information from a vehicle license plate for any reason?

 

[Automan21]

Not an issue for me.

Duck, duck, goose lol

 

[Baloo]

So anyone in Indiana can obtain personal information from a vehicle license plate for any reason?

Public record, just like obtaining the info on property deeds.

 

[Jah.]

Probably some nefarious types trolling this site . less personal information on internet the better imo .

 

[Ranch]

Public record, just like obtaining the info on property deeds.

I'm not so sure about that. Looks like only certain companies and government agency's can purchase these BMV records. Link below for a good article that explains who can buy these records and what they can do with it.


Here’s who can buy it:

• Attorney
• Auto Dealer
• Bail Bond
• Debt Collection Company
• Insurance Agent
• Insurance Company
• Mobile Home Parks
• Private Investigator
• Recovery Agent
• School Corporations
• Security Guard
• Sheriff and Police Departments
• Tow Company

https://www.wrtv.com/news/wrtv-inve...n-and-they-dont-even-tell-you-theyre-doing-it

 

[NeedforSpeed]

I‘ve noticed that some here make sure to obscure their license plate when posting photos of their truck, and I was wondering: why? After all, anyone on the street can see and read the license plate. So it’s no secret. And if there was some risk to having someone read your license plate, wouldn’t someone nearby represent a greater threat to you than someone on the Internet, who is likely to be hundreds or even thousands of miles away? No one (other than a cop) can read your license plate and get any personal information about you from your state’s DMV. So I guess I don’t understand how there is any risk to having my license plate visible in a photo here. Can anyone clue me in about the risk?

You're right. I believe it's an "old wives tale" that showing your license plate is a risk.

 

[Baloo]

I'm not so sure about that. Looks like only certain companies and government agency's can purchase these BMV records. Link below for a good article that explains who can buy these records and what they can do with it.


Here’s who can buy it:

• Attorney
• Auto Dealer
• Bail Bond
• Debt Collection Company
• Insurance Agent
• Insurance Company
• Mobile Home Parks
• Private Investigator
• Recovery Agent
• School Corporations
• Security Guard
• Sheriff and Police Departments
• Tow Company

https://www.wrtv.com/news/wrtv-inve...n-and-they-dont-even-tell-you-theyre-doing-it

Go straight to Indiana's code page. It is all Publix information just like all public information it is available to the public.

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