Surveillance Cameras Now Track Phones, Smartwatches, And Pet Microchips Alongside License Plates

Surveillance Cameras Now Track Phones, Smartwatches, And Pet Microchips Alongside License Plates

L Todd Wood

Law enforcement agencies could soon gain the ability to follow not only vehicles but also the personal electronic devices of drivers and passengers, thanks to a new system that merges traditional license plate scanning with wireless device tracking.

The technology, called SignalTrace, comes from Italian defense giant Leonardo. 

It builds upon existing automated license plate reader (ALPR) networks already installed on roadsides and in public spaces. Rather than stopping at vehicle plates, SignalTrace collects signals from smartphones, Bluetooth wearables like smartwatches and earbuds, RFID badges, and even pet microchips to create a persistent digital profile tied to specific cars.

According to materials reviewed by 404 Media, the system uses algorithms to detect when multiple devices travel consistently alongside a particular vehicle. It then links those devices to the vehicle’s license plate and precise location history, generating what the company describes as an “electronic fingerprint.”

This capability could help investigators track suspects even when license plates are swapped, removed, or obscured, reported SOFX.

Privacy advocates warn that such expanded tracking raises serious civil liberties issues. Groups like the Electronic Frontier Foundation have long criticized ALPR systems for mapping people’s daily movements and associations, creating detailed “patterns of life” without warrants or probable cause. Adding personal device data to the mix significantly amplifies those concerns.

Leonardo has not publicly responded to the latest privacy questions surrounding SignalTrace. The company secured a patent for the core technology in 2024. In its announcement, Leonardo stressed that the system only captures emitted device frequencies and does not access or decrypt the actual content of phones, messages, or communications.

Leonardo provides equipment and software to police forces, security services, and government agencies. The rollout of SignalTrace underscores a broader trend: surveillance infrastructure that once focused solely on vehicles is rapidly evolving to monitor the digital devices people carry with them every day.

This development is likely to fuel ongoing debates about the appropriate limits of public surveillance technology in balancing security needs with personal privacy.