Many US cities use license plate tracking, even on parked cars. Even if they normally delete the data after a few days, there is no telling which other agencies might have got copies in the meantime.

A bill being considered in New York State would put limits on the use of data from license plate cameras.

This would be a big step forward, but I fear it would be insufficient because the FBI could seize the whole database every day under the PAT RIOT act.

To make license plate cameras safe, we need a law to require that the system fail to recognize any license plates other than those specified individually by court order.

Cameras are not the only way to track cars. "Digital license plates" could track a car's movements all the time.

Of course, a "connected car" does the same thing. The "connection" works via a cellular modem, and the phone system always knows approximately where it is. Perhaps the car also has a GPS system to give it more precise tracking data.

If you own a "connected car", I suggest you disconnect it. The car's computers might record all the GPS locations for the next time it is serviced. So I suggest disconnecting the GPS too.

Can anyone determine whether putting aluminum foil around the antennas is feasible, and whether it is effective at cutting off connectivity and GPS?