New License Plate Reader Technology Can Track Phones, AirPods, and Smart Devices

Roadside surveillance systems are expanding beyond vehicles, with new technology capable of detecting nearby wireless devices such as smartphones, AirPods, smartwatches, and other connected gadgets.

Defense contractor Leonardo S.p.A. has introduced SignalTrace, an upgraded Automatic License Plate Reader (ALPR) system that combines vehicle tracking with wireless device detection. The technology allows law enforcement agencies to collect information about nearby Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and RFID signals along with traditional license plate data.

According to reports, SignalTrace can identify various wireless devices, including smartphones, wireless earbuds, smartwatches, tire-pressure sensors, employee access badges, and even pet microchips. Instead of only showing where a vehicle has traveled, the system can create a broader record by linking a vehicle with nearby devices that appear repeatedly in the same locations.

Leonardo says the technology does not access personal files, messages, or encrypted information stored on devices. Instead, it detects wireless signals, identifies the type of device, connects those signals to nearby vehicles, and stores the information for investigative purposes.

Supporters argue that the system could help investigators discover travel patterns, identify connections between suspects, and improve crime investigations. However, privacy experts warn that expanding roadside surveillance to personal electronic devices raises serious questions about tracking, data storage, and potential misuse.

Previous concerns over automated license plate reader networks have already led to criticism after some agencies used surveillance data to monitor activists and other individuals. As SignalTrace becomes more widely adopted, debates over the balance between public safety and personal privacy are expected to increase.