Leonardo Plans to Turn License Plate Readers Into Device Trackers

A surveillance company called Leonardo is developing sensors to augment existing roadside license plate reader networks, capturing unique identifiers broadcast by mobile phones, AirPods, and smartwatches via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. The sensors would correlate vehicle identity with personal device identity at specific times and locations, creating mobility traces linked to individuals rather than vehicles. The capability is not yet operationally deployed at scale, but the engineering is straightforward and the economic incentive to law enforcement and data brokers is substantial.