The eclectic musings of a bitter software engineer.

What's with all the blurry license plates?

Friday January 13, 2006 @ 10:12 PM (PST)

Identity theft is rampant here on the Intertron, so I can understand why some people would rather not post their personal information online, but why is it that whenever some dork posts a picture of a car, they almost always go to the trouble of blurring the license plate first?

I don't know too many people who put their credit card or social security numbers on their license plates. What's the point of obscuring your license plate number? You drive around with the thing in full public view all the time, don't you? What is it about the spooky ol' Intertron that scares people into thinking they need to keep their license plates hidden? In theory, only cops and other folks with access to DMV databases can get any useful information out of your license number, and even if some naughty person manages to get their hands into the DMV's files, what are they gonna do? Make prank calls? Send you junk mail?

Me, I like to live dangerously. My license plate number is 285-BZZ. Here's a lovely photo of one of my credit cards. Now let's see how long it takes for Uncle Intertron to steal my identity.

Comments

Ryan, I love your attention to detail. Really, registering and setting up intertron.org just to use it in this blog post, true artistic mastery.

Friday January 13, 2006 @ 10:37 PM (PST) Posted by rdude

Nah, I registered intertron.org ages ago. I haven't figured out what to do with it yet, so I just link to it every chance I get.

Friday January 13, 2006 @ 10:53 PM (PST) Posted by Ryan Grove

DMV records were public record in Oregon into the mid/late 90's. I can only assume there are some states where they still are?

Saturday January 14, 2006 @ 12:38 PM (PST) Posted by Tabor

Even if they're public, why would it matter if someone knew your license plate number? With public records, they can already look you up anyway. Besides, there are much easier ways to find out someone's phone number, address, and other information than using DMV records.

Saturday January 14, 2006 @ 02:04 PM (PST) Posted by Ryan Grove
You use internet car forums to find the cars that have all the cool (expensive) internal mods that you can't tell from the outside. Then, you use the DMV records to get the address of the sweet car. I realize that not all pics with blurred out plates fall into this catagory. In fact, I never blur my plates when I post pics.

Historical note: The Oregon DMV records became private when people realized that you could go look up (on the internet, because a private netizen published them) the address of poor driver you saw earlier on the road, go to their house, and mess up their car. It took road rage to a new level.
Saturday January 14, 2006 @ 08:03 PM (PST) Posted by Tabor

Ahhhh. Now there's an actual reason to blur your license plate. I hadn't thought of that. Okay, I officially deem it acceptable to blur your license plate if you're posting a picture of a car containing lots of expensive gadgets. But I still think it's silly otherwise.

Saturday January 14, 2006 @ 09:51 PM (PST) Posted by Ryan Grove

:)

Sunday January 15, 2006 @ 07:16 PM (PST) Posted by Boobies

Credit Cat guards her secrets well.

Sunday January 15, 2006 @ 08:55 PM (PST) Posted by Eilonwy

Agreed - you drive around showing your plate to anyone. If anything, the way I drive is going to attract more attention from people who might want to do harm, than if I were to post pictures of my plate online. Afterall, in person they can follow me home. And beat my ass. Or see my address and send me hate letters. I'd be more concerned with that.

Friday January 20, 2006 @ 01:03 PM (PST) Posted by Tony

Yeah... I don't drive crazy. Fuck no. Not me.

Monday January 23, 2006 @ 11:10 AM (PST) Posted by Nightshade

intertron.org's elegance and simplicity are a calming and fantastic complement to the myriad of Flash-abusing websites in the phenomenon it gives a name to. Also it's fantastic away message fodder.

Wednesday January 25, 2006 @ 04:31 PM (PST) Posted by Sam

Kill me now

Saturday January 28, 2006 @ 07:57 PM (PST) Posted by Kill Me

Fuck you all damn it i like candy poo! i like candy poo! it is sooooooooooo damn good kiss this (_(_) yes yes what now mother fuckers i hate you all oh hi i like candy poo

Friday February 17, 2006 @ 02:37 PM (PST) Posted by poo

Fuck you all damn it i like candy poo! i like candy poo! it is sooooooooooo damn good kiss this (_(_) yes yes what now mother fuckers i hate you all oh hi i like candy poo

Friday February 17, 2006 @ 02:38 PM (PST) Posted by poo
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