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California Tracks Everyone Using Toll Transponders

Posted by michael on from the tinfoil-hats-selling-well dept.

obtuse writes "Direct monitoring of traffic sounds pretty cool, but some people don't want their toll transponders tracked. They aren't installing direct driver tracking for law enforcement now, but the collected data could be subpoenaed. Of course, anyone who didn't want to be tracked could just put it in the glovebox anyway, so they won't be catching clever felons or tracking real paranoiacs."

4 of 408 comments (clear)

  1. This always bothered me by FuzzyDaddy · · Score: 4, Funny
    I use to have a toll transponder and commute to work. When I got my bill, It listed the time I went through any given toll. There were two tolls - one to enter the road, and one to exit.

    I'm sure glad I was never asked to explain how I made it nine miles in under eight minutes on a 55 MPH road.

    --
    It's not wasting time, I'm educating myself.
  2. What's the *vertical* range? by XianDeath · · Score: 3, Funny

    This could lead to a whole new sport involving low flying jets. Image how the data would look after factoring in a couple "cars" traveling upwards of 250 - 400mph.

  3. This just in... by johnlcallaway · · Score: 4, Funny

    In most states, an unmarked police car can follow you on the road and note your every movement without you even knowing about it or agreeing to it. There is no way to prevent it, and, even more scary, it is not illegal. There is not even an opt-out capability. They can use this information in court against you at any time they chose!!!

    The only way to prevent this loss of privacy is to stay at home, lock the doors, don't use the phone or cable TV, or even pick up your mail. You must remain inside at all times and out of site.

    Only then can you really enjoy your privacy. Of course, you can't enjoy anything else, but who cares. At least you can enjoy your privacy.

    --
    I rarely read replies, it's my opinion and if you thought about your opinion a little more, I'm OK with that.
  4. a list of future problems coming up by bons · · Score: 4, Funny

    More people who appear to be tollway violators because they didn't pull their transponder out soon enough.

    Transponder mod chips for random serial numbers.

    People on cell phones pulling out transponders as they try to get through the booth.

    People setting up their own silent tracking antennas and keeping all information.

    Transponder mod chips with serial numbers belonging to people tracked with the previous method.

    Beowolf transponder clusters to make it look like you're a traveling traffic jam.

    --

    No Zen is good zen