Why are car license plates blurred out on TV shows, News and Movies?

Question

If someone really wants a plate number, they could just go to a Walmart parking lot and start writing them down. Is it really worth the effort to blur out all of them on TV?

Answer 1

Privacy. And, I think on the cop shows, it has to do with presumed innocence until proven guilty. They don't want a bunch of vigilante justice-type thugs beating down someone, only to find later they were innocent. Some internet sites let you pay to find out name and address of license plate owners (public records).

Back in the 80s, there was a pop song about a girlfriend's number (867-5309). Phone companies had to remove it from service because so many 'test' calls and prank calls were being made.

Answer 2

Go to any Tax Appraisers Office and , pre Patriot Act a Citizen had a freedom to look at the information there, plate= tax=information

Answer 3

This is typically done to the plates of people that don't want their privacy invaded (celebrities, public officials, people that just happen to be in the shot, etc). I don't think I would want someone to see my car driving through a shot, and then Joey Baggadonuts hunting me down . . .

Answer 4

It reaches a larger audience, and it's also about privacy. That is, you might recognize that it's your ex's license plates or something and use that to make fun of them, and they could turn around and sue the show or network or whatever for invasion of privacy.

Answer 5

With a car's license plate number you can go online and get their home address with it. So they don't get broadcast on televison because it could be a liability

Answer 6

Maybe it's like they have to have permission, like if they're blocking out somebody's face. Without the license/number it could be anybody's emerald green Ford Explorer.

Answer 7

1

Answer 8

for privacy