A Truly Free Market

08/25/2026

07/28/2026

Defense contractor Leonardo has introduced a system called SignalTrace that can be added to existing license plate reader cameras. Instead of only capturing license plates, it also detects the unique Bluetooth identifiers emitted by nearby devices, including phones, smartwatches, AirTags, vehicle infotainment systems, and even tire pressure sensors. The system combines those signals into what the company describes as an “electronic fingerprint” and associates it with a vehicle’s license plate in a law enforcement database. According to Leonardo’s own materials, the objective is to “bridge the gap between vehicle and occupant,” expanding surveillance beyond tracking a car’s location to identifying the electronic devices traveling with it.