Why it matters: Cybersecurity researchers have demonstrated how digital license plates can be hacked in minutes, potentially allowing criminals to evade law enforcement and toll systems. As reported by Wired, the vulnerability affects approximately 65,000 plates currently on U.S. roads and cannot be fixed with a simple software update.
The Big Picture: Digital license plates, introduced in 2018, offer modern features like:
- Remote registration updates
- Amber alert displays
- Stolen vehicle tracking
- Digital advertising capabilities
Security Risk: Popsci reports that IOActive researchers revealed a hardware-level vulnerability:
- Takes under 5 minutes to exploit
- Requires only two screws removed
- Allows complete control via smartphone
- Enables real-time plate number changes
Legal Status: Currently authorized in:
- Arizona for passenger vehicles
- California for passenger vehicles
- Michigan for passenger vehicles
- Texas for commercial vehicles only
Looking Forward: While manufacturer Reviver plans to redesign future models without the vulnerable chips, the 65,000 plates already sold remain at risk. Even the best cars are susceptible if they have a digital plate. The company maintains that physical access requirements make real-world attacks unlikely, though researchers disagree about the difficulty of exploitation.
