All posts tagged: plate

Mapping Every Flock License Plate Reader Near US World Cup Stadiums

Mapping Every Flock License Plate Reader Near US World Cup Stadiums

Published by skeptic

Starting on June 11, soccer fans will be filling stadiums across North America to watch the FIFA World Cup. Those driving to matches in the United States might also find themselves being the ones watched: WIRED identified 1,181 automatic license plate reader cameras, or ALPRs, within a five-mile radius of the 11 US stadiums playing host to the World Cup this summer. Most of those cameras are manufactured by Flock Safety. ALPRs are set up along roadsides by municipalities, businesses, schools, and private groups such as homeowners associations to continuously log the license plate of each car that passes by them. A market survey report prepared for the US Department of Homeland Security says that some providers can collect other information like the make, model, and year of the vehicle and descriptions of bumper stickers affixed to it. Groups that operate networks of these cameras can then query those logs to find matches for specific plates, creating a dossier of where a vehicle has gone and when. Flock Safety, in particular, allows operators to share …

A Bipartisan Amendment Would End Police License Plate Tracking Nationwide

A Bipartisan Amendment Would End Police License Plate Tracking Nationwide

Published by skeptic

US lawmakers plan to introduce an amendment Thursday at a House committee markup hearing that would prohibit any recipient of federal highway funding from using automated license plate readers for any purpose other than tolling—a sweeping restriction that, if adopted, would bring an immediate end to state and local ALPR programs across the United States. The amendment, obtained first by WIRED, is sponsored by Representative Scott Perry, a Pennsylvania Republican and Freedom Caucus member, and Representative Jesús “Chuy” García, an Illinois progressive whose state has become a flash point in the national fight over ALPR misuse. The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee will mark up the underlying bill—a $580 billion, five-year reauthorization of federal surface transportation programs—at 10 am ET on Thursday. Neither Perry nor García’s offices immediately responded to WIRED’s request for comment. The amendment runs a single sentence: “A recipient of assistance under Title 23, United States Code, may not use automated license plate readers for any purpose other than tolling.” The amendment is brief, but its reach would be vast. Title 23 …

A new tectonic plate boundary could be forming in southern Africa

A new tectonic plate boundary could be forming in southern Africa

Published by skeptic

Aerial view of the Kafue Rift southern boundary fault zone. The hot springs where researchers sampled gases lie in the green thickets Michael Daly The African continent may have begun tearing itself apart in a new location. Gases emerging from an arc of hot springs in Zambia appear to be coming from deep below Earth’s crust, in a sign that a new tectonic plate boundary could be opening up. There are many rift valleys around the world where continents have been pulling apart for tens of millions of years, including the East African Rift valley, which runs from the Red Sea to Mozambique. Over millions of years, rifting can lead to a tectonic plate splitting in two, but it is unusual to find a site where this process may be just beginning, says Rūta Karolytė at the University of Oxford. The Kafue Rift in Zambia is part of a 2500-kilometre-long rift zone stretching from Tanzania to Namibia and possibly out into the Atlantic Ocean. Geologists think the area may be showing signs of being in …

I got £8,500 in Ulez fines after my car number plate was cloned | Money

I got £8,500 in Ulez fines after my car number plate was cloned | Money

Published by Sam Flores

Someone cloned my car number plate back in October and racked up £8,500 in Ulez fines. I appealed, but this was rejected. Unfortunately, the cloned car is the same make, model and colour as mine. I’ve now received 17 “order for recovery of unpaid penalty charge” notices from Transport for London (TfL). The bailiffs will arrive next week, according to their letters. I’ve never driven my car in London, and can’t afford these fines. RJ, Maidenhead Car number plate cloning rose by 9% last year, according to the DVLA. Criminals steal, or copy, registration plates to fix to vehicles that look similar. This allows them to evade parking and speeding penalties, as well as clean air zone fines. The cloning of your car coincided with a serious bike accident that required surgeries and meant you were unable to appeal against all the fines in time. TfL cancelled the penalties as soon as I provided evidence that you did not own the offending vehicle. It says: “We would encourage all drivers who believe they have received …

State Laws Against Surveillance and License Plate Cams: What Works Best for Your Privacy

State Laws Against Surveillance and License Plate Cams: What Works Best for Your Privacy

Published by skeptic

In my coverage of controversial surveillance company Flock Safety and similar license-plate trackers, such as Motorola’s VehicleManager, I mentioned that one of the most effective steps US readers could take to protect their home and vehicles was to encourage their representatives to pass the right privacy protection laws. That’s even more important now that AI recognition capabilities can instantly recognize a car, a person’s face and other identifying information. That raises a large question: What are the best privacy protection laws? I wanted to provide more details for anyone wondering what to support or what their state is currently doing. One challenge is that every state is different, and there’s no clear guide on what privacy laws work and which have flaws. I spoke to senior policy counsel and lead for American Civil Liberties Union’s surveillance work, Chad Marlow, to find the best examples. These laws are making the biggest difference in our privacy.  “Collective action, rather than individual action, is required,” Marlow told me. “I would caution that while Flock is the most problematic ALPR …

I tried Lidl’s new carbon plate running trainers — are the £40 kicks actually any good?

I tried Lidl’s new carbon plate running trainers — are the £40 kicks actually any good?

Published by Sam Flores

As any runner knows, getting the right pair of trainers is a fine art — one that often involves wince-inducing words like ‘pronate’, ‘gait’ and ‘expensive’. Most pairs of good running shoes will set you back at least £200, if not more. For regular pavement-pounders, they’re a necessary part of the lifestyle; not only are they more technologically advanced than ever, but a decent set of trainers will help keep you injury-free. As someone who has ended up with long-term knee problems from running in cheap trainers (RIP, my meniscus), the news that Lidl has launched its own £40 version of Nike’s celebrated Vaporfly was enough to ring a couple of alarm bells. Abha Shah In the name of journalism (and curiosity), I also agreed to test them out. The lure was too strong: after all, if Lidl’s pair turned out to be any good, they could spare me spending upwards of £150 every six months on a new pair of Asics. Enter: the Crivit CarbonLite 1.0. As the name suggests, it’s a carbon-plated running …

I tried a vibration plate for one month. Here’s what happened

I tried a vibration plate for one month. Here’s what happened

Published by Daniella Wilson

Get the Well Enough newsletter with Harry Bullmore for tips on living a healthier, happier and longer life Get the Well Enough email with Harry Bullmore Get the Well Enough email with Harry Bullmore Could the key to losing weight, building muscle and bone density and improving circulation be as simple as shaking for five minutes a day? That’s what I set out to discover over the last month by using a vibration plate for 5-10 minutes daily. The machine – a 2-3-foot wide plastic and rubber pedestal that vibrates at the command of a remote – has been around for more than 20 years. But it has found new fans across social media, featuring in more than 130,000 TikTok videos and Instagram Reels. A recent social media challenge asked users to film themselves trying to drink a cup of water on the plates. “I’ve seen the girlies who use this and they have abs, like actual abs,” says beauty influencer Maiya Sagoo, one of many toned women in workout gear posting videos while standing …

People Who Never Let Food Touch On Their Plate Usually Share These 11 Distinct Traits

People Who Never Let Food Touch On Their Plate Usually Share These 11 Distinct Traits

Published by Jenni Sidey

People who never let food touch on their plate might seem like they simply have a quirky eating habit, but the behavior can actually say a lot about their personality. How a person arranges their food, whether by carefully separating items or keeping everything orderly, can reveal insights into their approach to other aspects of life. For some people, keeping their plate tidy isn’t just a matter of preference. It reflects a deeper tendency toward structure, order, and attention to detail. People who dislike food touching on their plate often bring that same mindset into their daily routines. They tend to plan ahead, notice small details others overlook, and prefer environments that feel organized and predictable. It’s not about being controlling or overly picky. Instead, it’s often a sign of people who like doing things thoughtfully and deliberately. Here are 11 distinct traits people who never let food touch on their plate tend to share. People who never let food touch on their plate usually share these 11 distinct traits: 1. They’re highly organized Pixel-Shot …

I asked a dietitian which fiber-rich foods should be on everyone’s plate this winter—here’s what she had to say

I asked a dietitian which fiber-rich foods should be on everyone’s plate this winter—here’s what she had to say

Published by Jenni Sidey

For a long time, fiber has been an underrated nutrient, but it’s starting to steal some of the limelight from protein—and for good reason. Benefits of a fiber-rich diet include improved digestion and blood sugar regulation, better heart health and gut health. Experts suggest eating between 25 and 30g of dietary fiber every day, but most adults fall short of the recommended amount. You may like While fibermaxxing has been trending on social media for several months, and it’s great to see people trying to pack more fiber into their diets, there’s more to it than just eating more—variety matters as much as quantity. That’s easier said than done, but one good reason to branch out a little is cost. If you focus on eating seasonal foods you may be able to make smart savings while expanding your sources of fiber. As we’re in the depths of winter (in the northern hemisphere at least), I asked registered dietitian Jordan Langhough to share her top five fiber-rich foods that are in season. If you want some …

You’re Probably Not Getting Enough Fiber: Add These 5 High-Fiber Foods to Your Plate

You’re Probably Not Getting Enough Fiber: Add These 5 High-Fiber Foods to Your Plate

Published by Jenni Sidey

Some signs you might not be getting enough fiber include bloating, constipation (and hemorrhoids), irritable bowel syndrome, or diverticulitis, says LeVeque. High-Fiber Foods to Add to Your Shopping List LeVeque says she recommends getting your fiber from whole foods like produce, nuts, and seeds before turning to supplementation. “Embracing a holistic approach to nutrition, I find that incorporating these wholesome options not only contributes to my daily fiber intake but also offers myriad [other] essential nutrients,” she says. Here’s what you can load up on to reap the health benefits of dietary fiber: 1. Fruits “Fruit has a bad reputation often with dieters because of its sugar content, but fruits are high in fiber,” says Berghoff. “I want you to eat your fiber, eat your fruits and vegetables”—preferably with the skin on. “When you juice them, it takes away most of that fiber and then leaves just the high sugar, which … spikes your insulin levels.” LeVeque says some of her favorite fruits include berries and avocados (yes, avo is a fruit). Pears, apples, kiwi, …