License plate readers are leaking real-time video feeds and vehicle data
28 points by rntn 3 days ago | 7 comments
  • gnabgib 3 days ago |
    Small discussion (19 points, 1 day ago, 5 comments) https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42624930
  • crmd 3 days ago |
    I'm glad the author linked to Matt's videos. As soon as I saw the Wired headline I knew where they got the scoop from. His youtube channel [0] is focused on IOT hacking. Most of his techniques will probably be considered basic by HN people, but his videos have a good vibe and I look forward to them showing up in my feed. Hope others enjoy too!

    0: https://www.youtube.com/@mattbrwn

    • noman-land 3 days ago |
      I love his videos. It's really enlightening walking through stuff with him in real time as he speaks what he's thinking. My favorite way to learn.
  • jdboyd 3 days ago |
  • friend_Fernando 3 days ago |
    "The real-time video and data feeds don’t require any usernames or passwords to access."

    I wish I found this to be more surprising. About 400 of these are being deployed in SF: https://sfist.com/2025/01/03/sfpd-refuses-to-say-where-theyv...

  • khaki54 3 days ago |
    Is this new or interesting? I mean my 10 year old car has a feature that shows realtime traffic cams wherever I am. I imagine these things are widely available and you could run a plate reader on those feeds.
    • friend_Fernando 3 days ago |
      It typically takes a special camera and software. You need focus, a large-enough sensor in low-light conditions, adjusting or bypassing compression, etc. Not always impossible of course, just highly unreliable otherwise.