[zentanker]

For years I've struggled with this: what is the point of blurring / blacking out a license plate unless you're making a pic or vid doing something illegal?

Obviously, when driving in public exposing that same plate to untold numbers of strangers is acceptable, but a pic on the internet is somehow risky? As if the strangers on the road, at bus stops, and walking along sidewalks are somehow more trustworthy than those people with internet access? Oh, wait... all those people probably have internet access too. oops

Help me understand. Every time I see a nice car picture with a blurred license plate it's like looking at a supermodel with a hanging booger. Why!?

[UncleWede]

I don't have my screen name, or any related details, plastered on my cars.

[zentanker]

Originally Posted by UncleWede

I don't have my screen name, or any related details, plastered on my cars.

the "wede" got you a little paranoid?

[TheWatchGuy]

Originally Posted by zentanker

For years I've struggled with this: what is the point of blurring / blacking out a license plate unless you're making a pic or vid doing something illegal?

Obviously, when driving in public exposing that same plate to untold numbers of strangers is acceptable, but a pic on the internet is somehow risky? As if the strangers on the road, at bus stops, and walking along sidewalks are somehow more trustworthy than those people with internet access? Oh, wait... all those people probably have internet access too. oops

Help me understand. Every time I see a nice car picture with a blurred license plate it's like looking at a supermodel with a hanging booger. Why!?

most people prefer not to doxx themself on the internet

[2000cs]

Was just looking on FB at a post where the OP needed to identify a vehicle driven by a suspected thief. His posse identified the license plate from the photos and then posted make/model/year of the vehicle. Short jump to the ID of the owner. Obviously your plate number is publicly visible locally; do you want that on a global platform (Internet)?

[xQx]

So, I speak pretty openly about the mods I have on my car using my screen name. If I post my car with it's tags on the Internet, it links the license plate to my online history.

This causes a few risks, which are avoided by blurring the plates:

1. If any of my mods are illegal, some concerned citizen might alert the local police.
2. More people than you'd think can reverse lookup tags to owner address - so they may target stealing my car knowing it's part-out value is far above stock
3. A small risk of identity theft. I've just handed the world-at-large another personally identifiable piece of information that I don't have to.

[P1]

There is more risk. Once it’s on the internet, it’s permanent. Information can spread in a very quick manner. Plus there are folks on here than can run plates and track those back to personal information.

[UncleWede]

Originally Posted by zentanker

the "wede" got you a little paranoid?

Cali so not really

It the first 4 of my last name - that's my story and I'm sticking to it

[zentanker]

Originally Posted by UncleWede

Cali so not really

It the first 4 of my last name - that's my story and I'm sticking to it

fair enough.

[zentanker]

Originally Posted by TheWatchGuy

most people prefer not to doxx themself on the internet

Here, I'm going to "dox" myself.



You know what's going to happen to me? Nothing. Nothing at all.


I'm not scared. Why are you?

[UncleWede]

Should be more worried that there is even a plate on the front

[zentanker]

Originally Posted by UncleWede

Should be more worried that there is even a plate on the front

Believe me, I wish it was not a requirement because it really detracts from the aesthetics of the front. Notice that I used a tow hook plate mount because I just couldn't bring myself to drill holes in my bumper.

[Teufelshund]

Originally Posted by zentanker

Believe me, I wish it was not a requirement because it really detracts from the aesthetics of the front. Notice that I used a tow hook plate mount because I just couldn't bring myself to drill holes in my bumper.

If you have to have one, that's the way to wear it. Nicely done.
BTW, appreciate your service brother.

[roastbeef]

there is less risk than people think. license plates are just about worthless information.

[zentanker]

Originally Posted by Teufelshund

If you have to have one, that's the way to wear it. Nicely done.
BTW, appreciate your service brother.

I wish I could have done more. I honestly don't think I did enough. I have family and friends that aren't around now. Much love to all service members.

[roastbeef]

Originally Posted by zentanker

I wish I could have done more. I honestly don't think I did enough. I have family and friends that did more than me and paid more and are not around to comment.

There are things you can do to make it less ugly. I'm partial to RHO-plate tow hook mounts because you can angle them to be flush with the car. Also, put a color matched frame on it- it helps it not look so huge.

[zentanker]

Originally Posted by roastbeef

There are things you can do to make it less ugly. I'm partial to RHO-plate tow hook mounts because you can angle them to be flush with the car. Also, put a color matched frame on it- it helps it not look so huge.

Good talk.


I like it!


Link to plate frame?

[Teufelshund]

I'm flying a vanity tag on the front of my X5 due to its previous life in a nanny state. Removed the plate holder as soon as I got it home and revealed two huge, burred-up, irregular holes. Back on it went, lol.

[roastbeef]

Originally Posted by zentanker

Good talk.


I like it!


Link to plate frame?

bimmian is good for quality painted parts like license plate frames. looks like they have mineral grey, too.

https://bimmian.com/painted-license-plate-frame/

[FriedPiston]

Some of you guys need to take a crash course in Cyber Security and Internet Privacy. That should help explain why you want to maintain every bit of anonymity from people with malicious intent. You'd be surprise what someone with a lot of time their hands can do with a little amount of information from an unsuspecting target... This is no different than properly setting your Privacy Settings from companies like Amazon, Google, Facebook, Microsoft, Yahoo and the list goes on.

If you believe that no harm will come to you by sharing more information than needed, then why not leave your home address and phone number in your signature since you're already giving this out by posting your license plate.

[zentanker]

Originally Posted by nars3000

Some of you guys need to take a crash course in Cyber Security and Internet Privacy. That should help explain why you want to maintain every bit of anonymity from people with malicious intent. You'd be surprise what someone with a lot of time their hands can do with a little amount of information from an unsuspecting target... This is no different than properly setting your Privacy Settings from companies like Amazon, Google, Facebook, Microsoft, Yahoo and the list goes on.

If you believe that no harm will come to you by sharing more information than needed, then why not leave your home address and phone number in your signature since you're already giving this out by posting your license plate.

You haven't convinced me. Bring it.

[roastbeef]

Originally Posted by nars3000

Some of you guys need to take a crash course in Cyber Security and Internet Privacy. That should help explain why you want to maintain every bit of anonymity from people with malicious intent. You'd be surprise what someone with a lot of time their hands can do with a little amount of information from an unsuspecting target... This is no different than properly setting your Privacy Settings from companies like Amazon, Google, Facebook, Microsoft, Yahoo and the list goes on.

If you believe that no harm will come to you by sharing more information than needed, then why not leave your home address and phone number in your signature since you're already giving this out by posting your license plate.

A phone number is not information displayed when a plate is ran.

I get it, why surrender more info than needed? The fact is, it takes significant effort to obtain r/o info from a plate. Even then, it is simply a name and address of the r/o. Nothing else.