Obscuring numberplates
Discussion
I've always advocated obscuring numberplates before posting photos of people's cars (from meets, etc.) up on a public gallery.
However, faced with 60 photos from the yesterday's Austec meet, some with 10 or more numberplates visible, I have found my stance weakening somewhat.
What is the general concensus on the matter?
However, faced with 60 photos from the yesterday's Austec meet, some with 10 or more numberplates visible, I have found my stance weakening somewhat.
What is the general concensus on the matter?
I have done it, and been told not to, as they(the owner) like to see the plate on any pics, also i have not done it, and been told to for the opposite reason above.
the smudge tool is what i use now, as a fully white or yellow plate looks wrong, a smudged plate looks like a tribal design and looks good.
If i were to post pics from an event where they were paraded or on display parked up, in public, i wouldnt bother, as any member of the public can have the same pic.
But there appears to be no legal stand point to take guidance from.
the smudge tool is what i use now, as a fully white or yellow plate looks wrong, a smudged plate looks like a tribal design and looks good.
If i were to post pics from an event where they were paraded or on display parked up, in public, i wouldnt bother, as any member of the public can have the same pic.
But there appears to be no legal stand point to take guidance from.
JonRB said:
However, faced with 60 photos from the yesterday's Austec meet, some with 10 or more numberplates visible, I have found my stance weakening somewhat.
A man of your talents Jon ought to be able to write a small image processing application to do it automatically (identify all areas likely to be 'plates, replace area with single white/yellow colour). Heck, you might even be able to sell it.
horacethefrog said:
Oh dear, here we go again. Would somebody please explain why one should need to cover up the plate? Presumably one drives around with it for all to see, what is being revealed on the net that wouldn't be on the public highway?
..because it can be easy to tie a vehicle up with a person, and or location
I can see both sides of the argument here.
However, on this occasion I have decided not to obscure the numberplates as
a) the Austec gathering was a very public affair with a large number of cameras so it seems a somewhat pointless excercise
b) a large number of people had personalised plates implying they want to be recognised. I guess I must count myself amongst the number.
c) there was nothing untoward going on (ie. not a track day or whatever)
d) it was after the event (so no accusations of advertising an empty house or the like)
e) there are just too many numberplates to blank on these photos.
They're available here if you want to see them.
However, on this occasion I have decided not to obscure the numberplates as
a) the Austec gathering was a very public affair with a large number of cameras so it seems a somewhat pointless excercise
b) a large number of people had personalised plates implying they want to be recognised. I guess I must count myself amongst the number.
c) there was nothing untoward going on (ie. not a track day or whatever)
d) it was after the event (so no accusations of advertising an empty house or the like)
e) there are just too many numberplates to blank on these photos.
They're available here if you want to see them.
Edited by JonRB on Monday 18th September 19:51
I still don't get it. So, someone takes a photo of my car and me outside my house, say. So they now associate me with that car at that place. Big deal. Am I supposed to also take evasive action to ensure that nobody follows me home? Paranoic, not much 
I can just about understand the point about going away but I think it extremely unlikely that the criminal fraternity would adopt such a complex way of establishing that your house might be empty. How the hell are they going to tell where your house is?
I can just about understand the point about going away but I think it extremely unlikely that the criminal fraternity would adopt such a complex way of establishing that your house might be empty. How the hell are they going to tell where your house is?
I think a few years ago there was a spate of car robberies of a particular car model from peoples houses. I think anybody with dishonorable intentions would find it easy to collects a 'database' of car owners, what car they have, where they live etc simply from visiting The Evo X owners forum/Scoobynet/'insert car' would make it easier to find such cars.
A numberplate makes it a lot easier to find the location of a vehicle.
A numberplate makes it a lot easier to find the location of a vehicle.
The argument for (and it is tenuous at best) is that you can establish a link with your on-line persona and your real identity via your car, presumably allowing weirdos and nutters to follow you around and accost you. Or something like that.
Edit: Actually, the other reason (and this one is a little more credible) is that it could result in numberplate cloning as it shows that a certain car in a certain colour with a certain registration mark is a valid combination.
Edit: Actually, the other reason (and this one is a little more credible) is that it could result in numberplate cloning as it shows that a certain car in a certain colour with a certain registration mark is a valid combination.
Edited by JonRB on Monday 18th September 20:03
I've found out that it's impossible to convince or convert the photographers whether to hide the plates or not once he has made up his/her mind. So I think you should do what YOU think is right for whatever the reasons. 
(Personally I'd hide them, unless being told by the owner not to)
(Personally I'd hide them, unless being told by the owner not to)
Edited by Gemm on Monday 18th September 20:06
Gemm said:
I've found out that it's impossible to convince or convert the photographers whether to hide the plates or not once he has made up his/her mind. So I think you should do what YOU think is right for whatever the reasons.
Ah, well that's where you're wrong in this case as I can genuinely see both sides of the argument. 
horacethefrog said:
How the hell are they going to tell where your house is?
You'd be surprised mate.
I'll give you that I maybe cautious, but then I work in the security business. Mate, you wouldn't believe some of the stuff I see.
I'll give you a related example: If you phone most firms & ask for Joe Bloggs, and he/she happens to be on holiday, the receptionist usually tells you he/she is on holiday. Nine times out of ten if you ask when they'll be back they usually tell you that too. This scam is particularly easy to pull on company directors, where their address is a matter of public record.
JonRB said:
Gemm said:
I've found out that it's impossible to convince or convert the photographers whether to hide the plates or not once he has made up his/her mind. So I think you should do what YOU think is right for whatever the reasons.
Ah, well that's where you're wrong in this case as I can genuinely see both sides of the argument. You are an exception then.
But seriously, I just do it as a courtesy to the drivers. I believe it's a bit more serious in the USA as people can actually find out the address from the plates. And there is a difference between driving around in town and plates being displayed on the web for anyone to see. But that's just my humble opinion.
Andy M said:
poah said:
I don't do it and see no reason to do it.
What about if a car is partaking in a track day, on private land, but may have his/her warranty invalidated for doing so?
I believe Mr Carter has a history along similar lines...?
without sounding nasty thats Mr Carters own fault. if you are on a track day without proper insurance, you can take your plates off. If I take pics at a trackday there is no way in hell I would remove all the plates from the pics (most are fuzzy anway lol)
1 reason, a scenario:
I am Dodgy Bob Mc Dodge. I have aquired two silver Boxsters, one with front damage and one with rear damage. After some sawing and a lot of filler i now have one good boxster. Obviously i need a number to give this car before i use it in my next armed robbery (one that won't shuw up as stolen like the two original cars). I could go outside and wait for a silver boxster to drive past, and write down its numberplate. On the other hand i could just fire up google images and type in "silver boxster" and within about 30 seconds i'd have a number of UK plates to choose from that match the car (and hence won't upset ANPR and the like).
Sounds far fetched but is perfectly possible. Personally i couldn't give a rat's left nadger where my plates are displayed, but i'll always blank in my photos just in case.
I am Dodgy Bob Mc Dodge. I have aquired two silver Boxsters, one with front damage and one with rear damage. After some sawing and a lot of filler i now have one good boxster. Obviously i need a number to give this car before i use it in my next armed robbery (one that won't shuw up as stolen like the two original cars). I could go outside and wait for a silver boxster to drive past, and write down its numberplate. On the other hand i could just fire up google images and type in "silver boxster" and within about 30 seconds i'd have a number of UK plates to choose from that match the car (and hence won't upset ANPR and the like).
Sounds far fetched but is perfectly possible. Personally i couldn't give a rat's left nadger where my plates are displayed, but i'll always blank in my photos just in case.
JonRB said:
However, faced with 60 photos from the yesterday's Austec meet, some with 10 or more numberplates visible, I have found my stance weakening somewhat.
Only 60 ?
I always do it whether i'm asked to hide them or not. I cover my plates up for track days but there have been occasions where photographers have done paddock shots before i've got the masking tape out, therefore it's not difficult to put 2 shots together....It's not much to expect the same courtesy i extend to others is it. ?
If you don't want to scrub my plate, then don't take pictures of my car and mine isn't an exotic by any means
Other option is to password protect the online gallery and make it available only to participants.
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