License plate swirlies

[Mackeroni]

I would like to hear the logical explanation for why people feel the need to hide their plate numbers in pictures. Some guys erase them... some cover 'em up with cardboard (low tech), and some swirl the numbers to make them illegible. I recently sold a bike on eBay and included crystal clear pictures of my license plate. What bad things are about to befall me?

What's the big deal with allowing your license numbers to be seen in pictures? After all, we ride around all day long with our plates perfectly legible.

 

[Ari Rankum]

I would like to hear the logical explanation for why people feel the need to hide their plate numbers in pictures. Some guys erase them... some cover 'em up with cardboard (low tech), and some swirl the numbers to make them illegible. I recently sold a bike on eBay and included crystal clear pictures of my license plate. What bad things are about to befall me?
What's the big deal with allowing your license numbers to be seen in pictures? After all, we ride around all day long with our plates perfectly legible.

Just as entropy always increases, privacy always diminishes.

Let's say you post a bunch of pictures in 2008 of you and your license plate, Mr., what was it?, oh yes, Mr. Macaroni. No problem. Everyone knows you are Mr. Macaroni and that you live in Canton, Ohio. No big whoop. Of course, you're not nearly as psychic (<==== just watch, Bustanut will change this word into psychotic in a future post, thus proving my psychic ability) as I am, so you have NO IDEA that in 2010, you will post this hilarious write-up about your first experience doing the ton-and-a-half in the Nevada desert and how you damn near did that right through a speed trap just before your spidey sense went off. Little did you know, because you're not as psychotic psychic as I, that a fellow Forum member, Gecko, is a Geico insurance adjuster in his real life. And little did you know that he was going to be appalled at the story of 150 mph in the Nevada desert and that he was sure, SURE that no Geico customer would ride his motorcycle that way. Nonetheless, being way less confident in his perceptions than I, he runs through the Geico mainframe and comes up with a partial hit. There is no Mr. Macaroni in Canton, OH with Geico, but there sure as hell is a Mr. Smith in Canton, OH with that same damn M/C plate with Geico. Or was, I should say, cuz you just got your *** canceled . Mr. Macaroni.

That's just one reason. There are many others. Over time, it's nearly impossible to protect your privacy on-line. But don't give it away for free.

My .02.

 

[Bustanut joker]

Of course, you're not nearly as psychic (<==== just watch, Bustanut will change this word into psychotic in a future post, thus proving my psychic ability) My .02.

Damn it Ari!! Ya took all the fun outa that one :lol:

Actually I'd never gave it any thought myself as to why this was done just figured some folks were a bit too paranoid... Not so much anymore after that explanation.

Thanks O psychotic one!

:jester:

 

[Duff]

...for the same reason I shred anything with my name on it and peel labels off packages/envelopes, etc before throwing away:

It is a proven fact that, over time, an enormous amount of information can be gathered about an individual and their habits, likes, dislikes, personality, etc. Everything from eating habits and probability that they will have/or DO have medical issues to their financial status. Just the fact that I live at a certain address is enough to establish credit in some cases. So far, I am only referring to dumpster-diving information gathering.

Add to that the ability to data-mine electronically and you are in a whole other league. Mother Google (as much as I love her search engine) has made EVERYTHING available at your fingertips. Just do a quick search and see what it takes to “hot-wire” an FJR or where people like to hide their spare key on their bikes. h34r:

Why would someone target me or you for such an endeavor? I have no idea, but I don't need some crazy ******* looking up my license plate number so that they can come over to my house and get even for a post I made five years ago that they didn't agree with.

It's the simple things in life and the PSYCHO people in life that keep it interesting. :blink:

 

[radman]

It's the mystery. Keeps people standing on tippy toe, waiting for the outing that will surely come.

 

[uctofeej]

What's the big deal with allowing your license numbers to be seen in pictures? After all, we ride around all day long with our plates perfectly legible.

Take any little piece of information -- like a license plate that has home state clearly listed -- then get a first/last name and visit this site: pipl.com. I guarantee you'll find lots of interesting stuff about a person. This is a "deep web" site that searches things Google can't find, like court records, previous addresses, spouses, family members.

Search yourself and see what turns up. It'll simply blow your mind. :dribble: You're a rare bird if you don't show up.

 

[Joe2Lmaker]

I would like to hear the logical explanation for why people feel the need to hide their plate numbers in pictures. ...

Why do you want to know? :glare:

You're free to do whatever you want.

Stand in your garage with your GPS, get the coordinates so you can be accurately placed on the Member Map. Stand outside your garage with a camera and all three double doors open. Take a photo of all of your toys, especially the lighter items that can be lifted into a pickup. Post the photo on the internet for the world to see. Oh, yeah they'll need to know what sort of job you have and if you'll be at work all day.

 

[SkooterG]

Man, there are a lot of paranoid peeps around here. Y'all better cover up that license plate while you are out riding around - just think of all the people that can see it!

 

[Thug]

Yanks......face it, your a suspicious lot.... :****:

 

[Silent]

My licence plate is swirly from the DMV :****:

Actually, it's a partial privacy issue. Riding around on your scoot, anyone can log your number if they want, but at the speeds we move, it's not likely any will That and you don't have psychos from all 50 states, Canada, Mexico, and everywhere else in the world having access to your personal info.

 

[Crash Cash]

I know that in England, if you get various details of a vehicle, such as plate and VIN, then you can apply for the logbook for that vehicle (whatever that is) and after that you can get the registration and end up "owning" the vehicle. Bike theft is rampant there, and according to magazines like Performance Bikes, Superbike, etc, this exact trick has been used.

Now me, I don't block my plate, but identity theft is pretty much a downer. Even that lifelock guy has had his identity stolen and money taken from some of his bank accounts, even though the very purpose of his own company is to prevent that.

(off-topic aside: for some reason it torqued me off a LOT when they tape over logos and brands on "Feasting on Asphalt" and Alton Brown's other shows - I guess that's just me)

 

[v65]

Take any little piece of information -- like a license plate that has home state clearly listed -- then get a first/last name and visit this site: pipl.com. I guarantee you'll find lots of interesting stuff about a person. This is a "deep web" site that searches things Google can't find, like court records, previous addresses, spouses, family members.
Search yourself and see what turns up. It'll simply blow your mind. :dribble: You're a rare bird if you don't show up.

Not much on me, but I did find my Amazon.com book wishlist. Not overjoyed that's out there. Nothing incriminating, but it should be private. :angry:

 

[ShawnKing]

(off-topic aside: for some reason it torqued me off a LOT when they tape over logos and brands on "Feasting on Asphalt" and Alton Brown's other shows - I guess that's just me)

(Thread jack) They do that because those manufacturers haven't paid for the "promotional considerations" of those logos so the shows' producers will cover them up.

 

[artistonFJR]

Same reason I order my adult-oriented farkle to a PO box under the name Hugh Jorgan... anamamamonimity.

C

 

[ponyfool]

pipl.com

Dude, I found unclaimed cash through the State of Oregon! Sweet! No, I'm not kidding. Granted, it simply says under $50, but that can still be farkling money!

 

[uctofeej]

pipl.com

Dude, I found unclaimed cash through the State of Oregon! Sweet! No, I'm not kidding. Granted, it simply says under $50, but that can still be farkling money!

You're welcome!

 

[Crash Cash]

visit this site: pipl.com. [snip]

Search yourself and see what turns up. It'll simply blow your mind. :dribble: You're a rare bird if you don't show up.

Damn, I died July 14, 1962? I didn't know that.... It did turn up a ton of "Gene Cash" entries but the only legit things it found is my address, my personal webpage, the flickr album for some of the images on that site, and some Debian bugs I filed. My mind was blown by all the bogus stuff, though.

Even Google at least finds my EXIF project on sourceforge, my Nokia N800 projects, my work on writing DVDs using Linux, and all my postings to Internet Tablet Talk, space.com, the SV Rider forum, the Central Florida Rider's forum, and here. Whrz ma DOX d00d!?

 

[Crash Cash]

(off-topic aside: for some reason it torqued me off a LOT when they tape over logos and brands on "Feasting on Asphalt" and Alton Brown's other shows - I guess that's just me)

(Thread jack) They do that because those manufacturers haven't paid for the "promotional considerations" of those logos so the shows' producers will cover them up.

Oh I know, but when they cover up what's OBVIOUSLY Bates' Leathers, a Nolan helmet, a Honda CBR-600, a DeLorme map, a Krupp coffeemaker, a Sub-Zero fridge etc, it's insulting as hell. It's like taking an F-150, taping over the Blue Oval and trying to pretend it's not a Ford - I feel like I'm being treated like a total *******. Worse, they've now gone to an irritating blur-out, which does nothing but attract the eye right to it. I guess duct tape is now too expensive? Needless to say, Food Channel has been removed from my TV box lineup. And none of the other shows/channels are so bad about it.

(/Thread jack)(/Pointless Rant)

 

[Fred W]

"Just because you're paranoid, doesn't mean they aren't out to get you." --Anon