New surveillance tech lets cops track your phone, smartwatch, and car — and you can’t opt out

A new device called SignalTrace from Leonardo Company is set to supercharge law enforcement tracking by pairing automated license plate readers (ALPRs) with electronic device detection. The tech harvests “electronic signatures” from Bluetooth, RFID, Wi-Fi, and other wireless signals emitted by phones, smartwatches, wireless tags, and even cars, then links that data to a specific license plate and vehicle.

Once paired, authorities can build detailed movement profiles, flag “suspect movements,” or track individuals traveling together. The system is designed to operate without user consent or opt-out options, effectively creating an unremovable digital fingerprint tied to a person’s car, devices, and travel patterns.

Leonardo insists the tech only captures device signatures—not content—and claims it’s activated only during active investigations tied to crimes. However, critics point to widespread abuse of similar tracking systems, including cases where officers have misused ALPR data for personal stalking or fabricated investigations.

With minimal legal restrictions, the technology risks further eroding privacy by treating individuals as commodified data points, constantly traceable through public infrastructure.