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Listen "NZ Police use of Number Plate Recognition Software on increase #10"
Episode Synopsis
Police use of automated number plate recognition (ANPR) technology in New Zealand has increased significantly, with nearly 600,000 queries made in the past year—up 16 percent from the previous year and 70 percent over two years. The systems, operated by private companies Auror and SaferCities, connect thousands of cameras at supermarkets and on roads to platforms accessible by over 8000 police personnel. While live tracking requires special approval and remains limited, routine access allows officers to review footage up to 60 days old without a warrant or production order.
Concerns have been raised about repeated queries of the same number plates, potentially bypassing safeguards against real-time tracking. Auckland has seen expanded use through parking wardens equipped with ANPR-enabled vehicles. The legality of warrantless access to Auror’s system is currently being challenged in the Court of Appeal. SaferCities has driven much of the recent growth, expanding its network nationwide. Meanwhile, Auror’s usage has plateaued, though it remains widely used by large retailers and is expanding internationally.
Welcome to episode 10 of the Crystal Carrier Wave Podcast.
This week, I’ve got a mix of tech, security, business, and a bit of DIY to chat about. Let’s start with something that’s been popping up more and more: police are increasingly using number plate recognition technology. It’s raising questions about privacy and how this kind of surveillance is becoming part of everyday life.
On the open-source front, the Python Foundation made a bold move by turning down a $1.5 million grant because it came with diversity and inclusion strings attached. It’s sparked a lot of debate about funding and values in the tech community, so I’ll share my thoughts on what this means for developers and the future of open-source projects.
Security has been a hot topic, too. Microsoft’s WSUS platform has been targeted in attacks affecting multiple organizations, and Google’s been sounding the alarm. Meanwhile, there were rumors swirling about a massive Gmail breach, but Google stepped in to say it’s just not true. It’s a reminder of how quickly misinformation can spread online.
Speaking of cyber threats, Sweden’s power grid was hit by a suspected ransomware attack, which really highlights how vulnerable critical infrastructure can be. And if you use Chrome, there’s a new zero-day exploit out there being used to spread spyware—so I’ll talk about what you can do to protect yourself.
Interestingly, there’s some positive news in the fight against ransomware: reports suggest fewer companies are paying up, which could signal a turning point. And for those who think tape storage is a relic of the past, it’s actually proving its worth in the age of AI—so I’ll explain why it’s sticking around.
On the business side, Amazon is making headlines by cutting 14,000 desk jobs as part of an AI-driven restructuring. It’s a big shakeup, and I’ll discuss what it could mean for the tech workforce. There’s also a legal battle brewing between Tesco and VMware, with Computacenter, Dell, and Broadcom all involved—definitely worth unpacking.
Manufacturing is shifting, too, with global component makers deepening their ties with India. Plus, Microchip’s new PCIe switches and Arm’s move to open up chiplet architectures are changing the hardware landscape.
For consumers, Samsung is officially rolling out ads on its $3,499 smart fridges—yes, ads on your fridge! I’ll talk about what that means for users. And if you’re a Fitbit fan, Google says more fitness devices are on the way, so don’t worry about your favorite tracker disappearing. Microsoft is also promising to fix those annoying duplicate drivers in Windows 11 update queues.
Gamers, there’s news for you as well. Civilization 7 is getting an update that lets you play as one civ continuously, which is a throwback for longtime fans. There’s also talk that Xbox might be moving away from being a console brand, which could be a huge shift in the gaming world. Plus, Disney is ending its partnership with Doctor Who, and YouTube is tightening age restrictions on videos with graphic video game violence.
Finally, for the makers and DIY crowd, I’ll share a guide on adding LoRa and LoRaWAN radio communication to Raspberry Pi projects, explain why some USB-C cables won’t program your microcontroller, and highlight a neat (AT)Tiny continuity tester project. I’ve also got some wiring tips, info on funding opportunities with ARDC, and a look at a pile-up control system for amateur radio enthusiasts.
Become a supporter of the podcast and help me grow the podcast and studio by becoming an Insider, every little bit helps and is greatly appreciated.
If you have anything you’d like to share or comment on, email podcast .at. zl4kj .dot. nz, I would love to hear from you. Alternatively you can Send a Voice Message
Police use of number plate spotting technology continues to rise
Python Foundation rejects $1.5M grant with no-DEI strings
Microsoft WSUS attacks hit 'multiple' orgs, Google warns
In Tesco vs. VMware, Computacenter warns, Dell, Broadcom
Google says talk of Gmail breach impacting millions not true
Amazon axes 14,000 desk jobs in AI-powered slimming plan
Grokipedia is such a mess even Grok thinks its untrustworthy
AWS US-EAST-1 region is having another bad day
Samsung makes ads on $3,499 smart fridges official with upcoming software update
Sweden power grid confirms cyberattack, ransomware suspected
Fitbit isn't dead after all – Google just promised more fitness devices are on the way next year
Don't worry, Microsoft says – Windows 11 will sort those weird duplicate drivers in your update queue
Civ 7 will soon receive a major update that will bring back the option to play as one civ continuously
Google Chrome zero-day exploited to send out spyware - here's what we know
The staying power of tape storage in the AI era
The end of ransomware? Report claims the number of firms paying up is plummeting
Xbox is about to put the nail in its own coffin as a console brand if this latest next-gen console rumor is legitimate
Disney is breaking up with Doctor Who
YouTube will age-restrict more content showing ‘graphic violence’ in video games
Global Component Makers Deepen India Ties Under New Manufacturing Push
Microchip’s New PCIe Switches Brings AI Hardware Up to Speed
Arm Opens Access to Chiplet Architectures and AI Platforms
(AT)Tiny Continuity Tester
Wiring: cut it, strip it, fix it
How To Add LoRa and LoRaWAN Radio Communication to Your Raspberry Pi Project
Why Your USB-C Cable Won't Program Your Microcontroller
Funding Opportunities with ARDC
Pile-Up Control System
Concerns have been raised about repeated queries of the same number plates, potentially bypassing safeguards against real-time tracking. Auckland has seen expanded use through parking wardens equipped with ANPR-enabled vehicles. The legality of warrantless access to Auror’s system is currently being challenged in the Court of Appeal. SaferCities has driven much of the recent growth, expanding its network nationwide. Meanwhile, Auror’s usage has plateaued, though it remains widely used by large retailers and is expanding internationally.
Welcome to episode 10 of the Crystal Carrier Wave Podcast.
This week, I’ve got a mix of tech, security, business, and a bit of DIY to chat about. Let’s start with something that’s been popping up more and more: police are increasingly using number plate recognition technology. It’s raising questions about privacy and how this kind of surveillance is becoming part of everyday life.
On the open-source front, the Python Foundation made a bold move by turning down a $1.5 million grant because it came with diversity and inclusion strings attached. It’s sparked a lot of debate about funding and values in the tech community, so I’ll share my thoughts on what this means for developers and the future of open-source projects.
Security has been a hot topic, too. Microsoft’s WSUS platform has been targeted in attacks affecting multiple organizations, and Google’s been sounding the alarm. Meanwhile, there were rumors swirling about a massive Gmail breach, but Google stepped in to say it’s just not true. It’s a reminder of how quickly misinformation can spread online.
Speaking of cyber threats, Sweden’s power grid was hit by a suspected ransomware attack, which really highlights how vulnerable critical infrastructure can be. And if you use Chrome, there’s a new zero-day exploit out there being used to spread spyware—so I’ll talk about what you can do to protect yourself.
Interestingly, there’s some positive news in the fight against ransomware: reports suggest fewer companies are paying up, which could signal a turning point. And for those who think tape storage is a relic of the past, it’s actually proving its worth in the age of AI—so I’ll explain why it’s sticking around.
On the business side, Amazon is making headlines by cutting 14,000 desk jobs as part of an AI-driven restructuring. It’s a big shakeup, and I’ll discuss what it could mean for the tech workforce. There’s also a legal battle brewing between Tesco and VMware, with Computacenter, Dell, and Broadcom all involved—definitely worth unpacking.
Manufacturing is shifting, too, with global component makers deepening their ties with India. Plus, Microchip’s new PCIe switches and Arm’s move to open up chiplet architectures are changing the hardware landscape.
For consumers, Samsung is officially rolling out ads on its $3,499 smart fridges—yes, ads on your fridge! I’ll talk about what that means for users. And if you’re a Fitbit fan, Google says more fitness devices are on the way, so don’t worry about your favorite tracker disappearing. Microsoft is also promising to fix those annoying duplicate drivers in Windows 11 update queues.
Gamers, there’s news for you as well. Civilization 7 is getting an update that lets you play as one civ continuously, which is a throwback for longtime fans. There’s also talk that Xbox might be moving away from being a console brand, which could be a huge shift in the gaming world. Plus, Disney is ending its partnership with Doctor Who, and YouTube is tightening age restrictions on videos with graphic video game violence.
Finally, for the makers and DIY crowd, I’ll share a guide on adding LoRa and LoRaWAN radio communication to Raspberry Pi projects, explain why some USB-C cables won’t program your microcontroller, and highlight a neat (AT)Tiny continuity tester project. I’ve also got some wiring tips, info on funding opportunities with ARDC, and a look at a pile-up control system for amateur radio enthusiasts.
Become a supporter of the podcast and help me grow the podcast and studio by becoming an Insider, every little bit helps and is greatly appreciated.
If you have anything you’d like to share or comment on, email podcast .at. zl4kj .dot. nz, I would love to hear from you. Alternatively you can Send a Voice Message
Police use of number plate spotting technology continues to rise
Python Foundation rejects $1.5M grant with no-DEI strings
Microsoft WSUS attacks hit 'multiple' orgs, Google warns
In Tesco vs. VMware, Computacenter warns, Dell, Broadcom
Google says talk of Gmail breach impacting millions not true
Amazon axes 14,000 desk jobs in AI-powered slimming plan
Grokipedia is such a mess even Grok thinks its untrustworthy
AWS US-EAST-1 region is having another bad day
Samsung makes ads on $3,499 smart fridges official with upcoming software update
Sweden power grid confirms cyberattack, ransomware suspected
Fitbit isn't dead after all – Google just promised more fitness devices are on the way next year
Don't worry, Microsoft says – Windows 11 will sort those weird duplicate drivers in your update queue
Civ 7 will soon receive a major update that will bring back the option to play as one civ continuously
Google Chrome zero-day exploited to send out spyware - here's what we know
The staying power of tape storage in the AI era
The end of ransomware? Report claims the number of firms paying up is plummeting
Xbox is about to put the nail in its own coffin as a console brand if this latest next-gen console rumor is legitimate
Disney is breaking up with Doctor Who
YouTube will age-restrict more content showing ‘graphic violence’ in video games
Global Component Makers Deepen India Ties Under New Manufacturing Push
Microchip’s New PCIe Switches Brings AI Hardware Up to Speed
Arm Opens Access to Chiplet Architectures and AI Platforms
(AT)Tiny Continuity Tester
Wiring: cut it, strip it, fix it
How To Add LoRa and LoRaWAN Radio Communication to Your Raspberry Pi Project
Why Your USB-C Cable Won't Program Your Microcontroller
Funding Opportunities with ARDC
Pile-Up Control System
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