Here's something that I've wondered about for some time...
Why is it necessary to blur the license plate numbers in photos? I'm sure this is a privacy issue...perhaps tied to identity theft? Is a vehicle license number really a portal to other, more significant personal info? There's probably a clear answer to this...I'm just unaware of it!

 

I did blur my tags whenever I posted a picture, but then I realized that everyday my tags are exposed to everyone I drive by - so whats the point?
I know here in Colorado, the tag agency believes they are dealing with highly classified information - I once had the nerve to ask them for a list of all custom tags so I would not have to iterate the request/denial steps to find a custom tag of my own. They acted as if I were asking for the president's direct phone number. Now if you could hook up a tag and an address or phone number that would be different, but heck I see no reason to obscure the tags in a picture on the Internet.
Am I missing something?

 

That was my thinking as well. If I'm not mistaken, Colorado handles plates a bit differently than most other states. Don't the plates stay with the driver rather than the car? (upon trade-in, for example)

 

If the picture that I took is not my car, then I'll do it.

 

They best and most reasonable reason I can come up with for people blacking out their own tags is that they are afraid of losing the sense of security and being "anonymous" on the internet.

In other words, they don't like the idea of someone being able to track them down via their tag number and finding out their name is something other than "JoeMessageBoardPoster".

Just my guess.

 

I think that's right. I don't know for sure though since I never really have sold a car except as a trade-in and I can't remember what happen to the tags.

 

You mean your real name is not CR&PW&JB?

 

No. It's really "Apu Nahasapeemapetilon" but that's too hard for most people to say.

 

Apu ! !

Is that really you ! My long lost brother ! This is Nabu.



LOL

 

 

Sounds like a Star Wars reunion to me.

 

I think blurring pictures of your license plate in the virtual world only makes sense if you coat your license plate with mud in the real world.

But then, of course, you wouldn't need to blur the pictures. Hmmm

 

Rerun alert...

 

I think it's just consideration of others (if it's not your car).

But in my case, if I snap a bonehead doing something stupid that could get someone killed, I'll blow up the plate and type it out. You know, for evidence.

 

I blur the tag in pictures of autocross and other car events. Some insurance companies will come after owners. As stated by others I generally do not show the tag if I do not know the owner, or if the owner has done something to hide thier tag.
John

 

Born in Green Bay, Wisconsin; parents Herb and Judy Nahasapeemapetilon.

 

If someone really has it out for me, they can do a lot worse thank know my license plate number.

 

I dont really know why i do it. I guess i'm a sheep just following along.

 

While I won't go as far as calling you a sheep, I do think that's why 90% of the obfuscaters do their blurry business.

 

The more i think about it the more i realize there's not really a point for it. Unless you're afraid somebody will point you out as a member of NAM or some other online community.

 

Is this how you do it?

 

DaCrema nailed it. If one is auto-x'g or on a track, insurance companies and leasing companies really don't like it.

 

you can take the plate for some states, 12 or so, and head on over to www.publicdata.com to look up owner/vin information. For texas even shows you the actual price that was paid for the car, that information is used for TX for sales tax.

 

Yes, except more caked on road salt and less snow/mud. Gotta get that mixture just right or else joe blow will come track you down.