132
This Company Will Add Phone, AirPod, and Smartwatch Trackers to License Plate Readers
(www.404media.co)
this post was submitted on 08 Jun 2026
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Technology
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It's because law enforcement needs way less oversight to search a database through a subscription service than to get phone data from the telcos.
It's a good habit to keep your phone on airplane mode when you can. It also saves on battery.
+1 Phone on airplane mode (eliminates WiFi/BT cellular & GPS tracking)
run physical mobile hotspot device for data (like Calyx hotspot - +2pts of you pick Moxee model to also run rayhunter)
connect to hotspot over WiFi with random MAC addresses (effectively eliminates IMSI tracking)
Enable a solid VPN. (Helps hide location and other usage)
Use chat/text/phone apps over WiFi (eliminates carrier tracking)
+5 for degoogled OS with profiles capability
+3 for Firefox forks like Librewolf or Waterfox with Port Authority and Privacy Badger
EDIT: btw the tech from the article is called SingleTrace...
A little overkill for most people.
There's no IMSI tracking through WiFi afaik, only cell service.
Airplane mode, VPN, and messaging apps is pretty good. I believe randomized MAC is the default on Android so no need to modify there. (Though it's nice to disable that on your home network so you can track yourself.)
Could be overkill, but if you're out and about your cell data is likely on. Then what? Now, my phone, my laptop, or other devices can utilize it. Unlimited data.
I've been inefficiently and lazily looking for something that can automatically turn the mobile network on and off again once per hour (or other period of time, potentially even randomized times).
I have been turning my phone off every time I go to the grocer because I firsthand verified that they have BLE beacons in use.
You just need the worlds smallest most compact faraday container that you can easily stow it in or special faraday pocketed pants lol
I mean, turning it off does the job and is easier.
And saves battery, don’t forget.
The telcos already offer geotracking as a subscription service to LE orgs tho. It's genuinely the same thing, except this data will be crappier and need more direct municipal involvement.
they’ll have access to it without warrants. that is the entire point.