America's potentially hackable hi-tech license plates
A growing number of US states now allow vehicles to display digital license plates instead of the inert traditional variety. Since they first appeared, reception has been mixed as the product's many benefits do come with certain privacy and control concerns. Additionally, recent research by a security specialist has shown that digital plates by the leading manufacturer, Reviver, are potentially hackable.
As well as having a digital LCD or e-ink display rather than permanent, physically embossed, stamped characters, digital plates offer a whole suite of features including automatic, remote renewal of registration, vehicle tracking, display of alternative messages such as notice that the car has been stolen, and even the capability to immobilise the vehicle.
With this much power, it's not surprising that some fuss has been made over claims by cybersecurity specialists IOActive that Reviver's digital plates can be hacked. Such a hack, using a technique known as fault-injection, could enable an unscrupulous user or criminal to display a fake or cloned license number, issue fake tracking information, take control of linked car systems and more.
Reviver have pointed out that the hack required physical access to the car as well as tools and knowledge available to few people. They claimed that those requirements make it “highly unlikely to occur” in the real world. They also stated that Reviver customers receive a notification alerting them whenever a plate has been removed or tampered with. In such circumstances the plate goes into a special detached mode, interrupting the plate's link to Reviver’s systems.
While the story does not seem to imply any specific, plausible risk, it is unlikely to hasten widespread acceptance of digital license plates.
Philippines low tech number plates
Where new in the USA has been about cutting-edge plate technology, the Philippines government has announced that it is deferring a proposed ban on improvised or home-made number plates.
A backlog in number plate production has meant that many drivers have been unable to obtain their number plates in time to meet the requirements of new regulations. One particularly affected group has been motorcycle taxi riders participating in a pilot scheme. If the new ban on improvised and temporary plates had been enforced, many of them would have been prevented from working due to restrictions imposed by regulations.
The magnitude of the problem was demonstrated when an official said that the backlog of motorcycle plates has been reduced from around 13 million to around 9 million.
The suspension of the ban on improvised plates means that the motorcyclists waiting for their plates will not be prevented from working, or penalised for using improvised number plates until the proper ones are ready.
The Australian plates contributing to wildlife welfare
Number plates sold in South Australia have raised $50,000 AUD for wildlife rescue and welfare organisations. The Koala State number plates featuring, as one might guess, a koala are available for South Australia's motorists to display on their vehicles. The Koala State plates cost $151, including a $70 plate fee, $50 donation and $31 reallocation fee for vehicles already registered in the state.
The Department for Environment and Water's conservation and wildlife director, Lisien Loan, said,
"These grants will assist the selfless volunteers and rescue groups to better care for wildlife through improved facilities, food supply or health care. A big thank you to those South Australians who have rallied around our wildlife organisations by purchasing a Koala State number plate."
Over 700 registered wildlife carers in South Australia contribute countless hours of voluntary work every year, often working around the clock to care for sick or injured animals.
It's Dubai plate auction time again!
Whenever a number plate auction takes place in the United Arab Emirates, we at Regtransfers pretty much sit back and wait to see how many world-beating prices we'll see paid for the most desirable examples. UAE sales currently occupy eight of the top 10 positions in our table of the world's most expensive number plates. Five of those places have been taken by Dubai, where another auction is due to be held on Saturday 28th December 2024.
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority plans to auction 90 premium number plates, ranging from two to five digits, at the upcoming auction, which will be the 117th such sale.
Of the plates featuring the letter combinations AA, BB, K, O, T, U, V, W, X, Y, and Z), the numbers AA21 and BB55 are expected to perform especially well.
Watch this space for the auction results and any changes to the world rankings!
