Why obscure your license plate in photos here?

[Ranch]

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

No thanks. I think the article I read explains it good enough for me.

Plus I live in California so it doesn't really affect me. I just thought it was strange that criminals or stalkers could easily gain personal information for a licensee plate number.

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[Baloo]

No thanks. I think the article I read explains it good enough for me.

Plus I live in California so it doesn't really affect me. I just thought it was strange that criminals or stalkers could easily gain personal information for a licensee plate number.

It is public record.

I happen to be one who has to take a test every two years to keep my certification to use IDACS. And NCIC.

Things like social security numbers are omitted on a public records request, but name address are all available for the general public for the fee of the FOIA.

Article is showing who can get on the BMV system, IDACS. Some of those organizations have limited plate returns and they have to pay user fee.

BTW, it is a crime for me to give information I have obtained from IDACS/NCIC to the general public.

 

[Ranch]

Sounds like your a cop.

I think Indiana needs to look at protecting personal information better.

 

[WoodWorks]

Well, what I still can't figure out, if anyone on the street can see my license plate, why it suddenly becomes a risk if they can see it on an Internet forum. I guess I need to dust my tin foil hat off.

 

[PNWMaverick]

......No one (other than a cop) can read your license plate and get any personal information about you from your state’s DMV.....

This is absolutely incorrect in every way.

The amount of information you can track down on someone based just off a license plate number may be surprising to you. This is partly why/how employers verify your driving record for employment and insurance purposes.

 

[Baloo]

Sounds like your a cop.

I think Indiana needs to look at protecting personal information better.

Former, but still work for a department.

So Indiana should deny public information?

 

[Baloo]

Well, what I still can't figure out, if anyone on the street can see my license plate, why it suddenly becomes a risk if they can see it on an Internet forum. I guess I need to dust my tin foil hat off.

Operational Security on the internet. Simple concept, really.

 

[Montana]

Well, what I still can't figure out, if anyone on the street can see my license plate, why it suddenly becomes a risk if they can see it on an Internet forum. I guess I need to dust my tin foil hat off.

It's no secret the info is public - locally is one story, but posting stuff online for literally anyone across the world to obtain because you had a discussion they didn't like is stupid. Or just because that's the business they are in and you are now an easy target thanks to a single picture they found that started a landslide of information.

There is a major difference between someone being able to get your info from seeing your license plate in person vs. someone being able to steal your entire identity because you posted a photo online.

It's the same for people posting any kinds of pics or info really. People have been tracked by pictures they had with tattoos showing, items they purchased, etc etc. It's a risk we take. Obscuring a license plate is a simple way to avoid just handing someone info. If you've never had to prove your identity in an identity theft case, you'd know it's not exactly clear cut. Sometimes it takes years. Depends on how much info the thief has (which can easily translate to: how much you gave them). Our identities are VERY fragile. If you've never looked into the security risks we currently live with on a day to day basis, maybe put that tin foil hat back on and you'd think taking simple steps to slow or possibly prevent the process entirely isn't that bad of an idea.

 

[WoodWorks]

This is absolutely incorrect in every way.

Well, what about the Driver’s Privacy Protection Act (DPPA), which is a federal law? And at least since April of 1865, federal law supersedes any state law here in the U.S. if there's a conflict between the two. So no, I don't think I'm incorrect in any way.

Besides, no one here seems to be able to address the fact that anyone can see my license plate in the real world any time they want to. And if that's a problem, that seems infinitely more risky to me than posting a picture of it in some Internet forum.

 

[Montana]

Well, what about the Driver’s Privacy Protection Act (DPPA), which is a federal law? And at least since April of 1865, federal law supersedes any state law here in the U.S. if there's a conflict between the two. So no, I don't think I'm incorrect in any way.

Besides, no one here seems to be able to address the fact that anyone can see my license plate in the real world any time they want to. And if that's a problem, that seems infinitely more risky to me than posting a picture of it in some Internet forum.

I literally just addressed it.

Your small area of local security risk turns into a world wide security risk. It's that simple.

It's a step to make it harder to spread information. That's all.

 

[WoodWorks]

There is a major difference between someone being able to get your info from seeing your license plate in person vs. someone being able to steal your entire identity because you posted a photo online.

Please explain that "major" difference, if you don't mind taking the time. If someone has access to my license plate, what difference does it make if they're next door or a thousand miles away?

 

[Ranch]

Former, but still work for a department.

So Indiana should deny public information?

No. That would be going too far.

 

[Baloo]

No. That would be going too far.

Well license registrations are public records.

 

[Montana]

Please explain that "major" difference, if you don't mind taking the time. If someone has access to my license plate, what difference does it make if they're next door or a thousand miles away?

Again - networking. If that person in your local community wants to put that information out they can. But that's an extra step THEY took. When YOU put the info out online, you just cut out the middle man. Less people the scammers (or anyone in search of information) have to employ because you wanted to share pics online.

It's one preventative measure in a long line of many possibilities with many variables. Either understand the operational security risks we take by putting ANYTHING online, or don't. But it doesn't change the fact that it's all added risk.

 

[Ranch]

This is absolutely incorrect in every way.

The amount of information you can track down on someone based just off a license plate number may be surprising to you. This is partly why/how employers verify your driving record for employment and insurance purposes.

I would think that a persons drivers license number would be what an employer would use. That's what I've provided in the past.

What happens if a person doesn't own a vehicle and the employer asks for their vehicles plate number?

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