Friday, June 25, 2010

Is the Digital Electronic license plate the California hacker’s paradise?

The California State Assembly is set to consider a bill that would green-light “Digital Electronic License Plate” technology. These digi-plates would turn any license plate into a mobile advertising space. With no formal opposition ready to debate these plates, are you going to see them on the road next year?

Article Resource: Digital Electronic License Plate – California hacker’s paradise

What are these new digital electronic license plates?

The bill making its way through the California legislature gives the DMV permission to work with companies creating these “Smart Plates.” They’re small, preprogrammed screens. During normal operation of the car, plate displays the license plate number. Stop for more than three or four seconds, though, and the majority of the screen will display something else. The idea is that these plates can be able to display advertising, a personalized message, or anything really that can be put into pixels.

Why the e-plate could be good

The California Assembly is set on the DELP for spending budget reasons. The state wants any reason to bring in additional cash with the $ 19 billion spending budget hole. With more than 32 million autos that are registered in the state, these e-plates would give advertisers millions of new opportunities to pay the state for advertising. These e-plates would also give the chance for residents to pay more money for some more personalization on their cars. In short, spending budget wins.

The Digital license plate being a bad idea

Though the state budget of California might just benefit from approving DLEP e-plates, it may eventually cost the state even a lot more money. First, these electronic license plates would change your license plate at the press of a button – certainly attractive to those who like to speed, red-light runners and criminals of all types who could hack their plates to make their numbers obstructed or invisible. Would it really be good to have each and every vehicle be a billboard ad? What business wants to be the one known for causing crashes? Would you really like seeing much more ads while driving? There are also concerns about property rights. Does the state have the rights to sell space on private property for advertisements that the drivers wouldn’t even make a cent on?

What do you think about this?



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