Millions of cars tracked across US in 'massive' real-time spying program

[JohnnyRingo]

22. I saw my 1st trunk lid scanner about six years ago.

It was about two feet long and mounted at an outward angle on the rear fender of a sheriff's car. I'd read about the technology, similar to face recognition software, so I knew what it was right away. It was reading and recording oncoming license plates as the cruiser drove down the road. The officer's laptop gave real time info on passing traffic.

Since then the huge fender units have disappeared, presumably replaced by more discreet dashboard or rear window sensors. I know they're still in use because my local police blotter is now filled with multiple violations for expired driver's licenses or driving under suspension. My own son was pulled over by a local police car that did a U-turn in a "routine traffic stop" that eventually revealed he never properly reinstated his license after a suspension the year previous. Keep in mind, this is a small town of about 6,000.

I can understand the use for this technology in fighting organized crime, but the ability to abuse is all too easy, and apparently commonplace.- Collecting mass movements in a national database for example. I was at a car show two summers ago when I saw the county sheriff driving slowly up and down each row of the spectator parking lot. I knew what he was doing.

This goes beyond the fishing analogy. It's like fishing with dynamite where they don't care about the damage they do to achieve a desired goal. Not very sporting either.