Which ADSB out solutions have “privacy” options

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Johnbo

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Johnbo
I saw a plane on the ramp over the weekend and wanted to find out what specific model it was so I googled the tail number. Of course I saw all the model details but I also saw all the local flights it had made over the last week which is kind of creepy. I know that if you have filed a flight plan or get a squawk code for flight following you will already show up on these tracker websites but which adsb out systems allow you to mask your id when you not on a flight plan or just doing local flying?

Folks will say that if you are not doing anything wrong then you shouldn’t worry about it...which technical is true but not the point. It really isn’t anyone’s business other than ATC where my plane is especially not the entire worlds population with internet access.

Thx
 
Johnbo said:
Folks will say that if you are not doing anything wrong then you shouldn’t worry about it...which technical is true but not the point. It really isn’t anyone’s business other than ATC where my plane is especially not the entire worlds population with internet access.
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There are ways to block your tail number, however ADSB is "immune" to that in most cases. It's a legit concern, privacy and all aside, as many people have a vested commercial and corporate interest to keep their flight data under wraps

I'm sure someone will find a solution, if there isn't one already out there somewhere if you look hard enough
 
The solution is when someone with enough money pays off their congressperson to push something through. Either that, or 978, which isn't an option i quite a few instances.
 
There are apparently ways to block your tail number and flights with FlightAware and FR24. You can sometimes look up certain tails and they come back "blocked at owner request." Several private jet owners do this, and I've even seen pistons that do. YouTuber Premier1Driver does this.
 
N1120A said:
There are apparently ways to block your tail number and flights with FlightAware and FR24. You can sometimes look up certain tails and they come back "blocked at owner request."
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Only works on sites that voluntarily participate. There are plenty, like the pieces of human excrement who run adsbexchange, who refuse to block a single thing.

I'd love to put GPS trackers on all their cars and have them visible to the public on a free website.
 
With this mandate, there should be a "do not call list" style directory of forcing sites to block ADS-B.

I'd imagine most people would prefer to remain visible, for various reasons, but would be nice for those who don't want that.
 
Grum.Man said:
Why do you care if people see your flights?? Mine is on a dedicated circuit breaker, if I don't want to be tracked I pull the breaker.
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For the same reason you don’t post vacation pictures on Facebook. You never know who might connect the dots that you’re out of town for a week.
 
I have heard the FAA is looking at rolling Mode S codes to address the privacy concerns...
 
kyleb said:
For the same reason you don’t post vacation pictures on Facebook. You never know who might connect the dots that you’re out of town for a week.
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Hell I check in whenever I go somewhere interesting. If someone wants to break in they are going to do it eventually anyway. I mean it's pretty obvious when someone isn't home. I have insurance for when/if that happens. I would be surprised if there is a robber in this world that is smart enough to look up my tail number, sign up for alerts, then happen to be around at just the right time to take advantage. If they know me that well they will likely know when I am gone anyhow.
 
Katamarino said:
Only works on sites that voluntarily participate. There are plenty, like the pieces of human excrement who run adsbexchange, who refuse to block a single thing.

I'd love to put GPS trackers on all their cars and have them visible to the public on a free website.
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I love ads-b exchange! Makes it easy to tell when the AR route is in use over my house and I can sit outside and watch them.
 
If I were a creative person with a penchant for litigation, I’d try using a lawsuit under GDPR, CCPA and/or other privacy legislation coming out to try and affect change. It would likely be faster and cost less money than working with politicians who these days are sponsored like NASCAR.
 
GDL 82 has the anonymous mode which , when activated , will not report you tail number as long as your transponder is set to 1200.
 
Warmi said:
GDL 82 has the anonymous mode which , when activated , will not report you tail number as long as your transponder is set to 1200.
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Except in startup mode where it will transmit your actual ID for a few seconds. That may or may not be enough time to allow airport based or near airport receivers to grab your info. From that point, they are one assumption away from tracking you through your flight.
 
You realize that many aircraft outside the C area have no intention of ever installing ADSB out? Don’t count on it to display traffic outside the required area. I won’t be transmitting when not required, would you have a problem with big brother tracking your car? I would.
 
Finnelly said:
You realize that many aircraft outside the C area have no intention of ever installing ADSB out? Don’t count on it to display traffic outside the required area. I won’t be transmitting when not required, would you have a problem with big brother tracking your car? I would.
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You mean airplanes that never go anywhere? Not much point in owning one of those!
 
Finnelly said:
I won’t be transmitting when not required, would you have a problem with big brother tracking your car? I would.
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I'm not telling you what to do, but by regulation, you are required to have the TXP and the ADS-B on and transmitting if the aircraft is equipped with that equipment.
 
N1120A said:
There are apparently ways to block your tail number and flights with FlightAware and FR24. You can sometimes look up certain tails and they come back "blocked at owner request." Several private jet owners do this, and I've even seen pistons that do. YouTuber Premier1Driver does this.
Click to expand...

@Radar Contact here does it too. I've checked. :D
 
kyleb said:
by regulation, you are required to have the TXP and the ADS-B on
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Unless the transponder is past the 24 month freshness date. In that case, you have to have the transponder off but the ADS-B on. And both have to transmit the same altitude and code.

I'm not clear on how that is possible.
 
The issue is not whether or not transmitting your adsb-out information and location is a good or bad thing. Those that have no objection to it should definitely have the ability to transmit their location and flying habits to the world as they wish. The issue is that people who do NOT wish to make their flying habits and locations indiscrimately visible to the world are being forced to do so, or remain clear of a significant portion of our nation's airspace. It matters not with which side you agree... it matters that good people's freedoms and privacy are being diminished. I, too, have absolutely nothing to hide, and am complying with the mandate simply because I'm inside Charlie on most flights. I still hate broadcasting my activities to the world. I don't like having my house on GoogleEarth either. If you want to walk past my house and check it out, fine. However, 6 billion people aren't walking down my street every day.

Get off my lawn. ;)
 
I think the GDL 82 style anonymous mode is a decently reasonable compromise. You are broadcasting an equivalent of a primary radar return until you enter some airspace where you need to squawk anything other than 1200 , and at that point the cat is out of the bag anyway ...
 
Kenny Phillips said:
You mean airplanes that never go anywhere? Not much point in owning one of those!
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That was a joke, right?

My full, final retirement date is this fall; I will move out of the DC area, will buy something not originally certified with an electrical system, velcro an iPad with a BT GPS to the panel, add a radio I will almost never use, and never, ever, turn on a transponder again.
 
Grum.Man said:
I have insurance for when/if that happens..
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There are malevolents out there beyond simple burglars, Grum.Man.
Let's say you have a partner or children, or other vulnerable family members; I don't think we should be doing anything to let the BGs know when we are not home.

Thinking about it, there are plenty of valid reasons a person may want to preserve their privacy regarding their movements.
 
Finnelly said:
You realize that many aircraft outside the C area have no intention of ever installing ADSB out? Don’t count on it to display traffic outside the required area. I won’t be transmitting when not required, would you have a problem with big brother tracking your car? I would.
Click to expand...

One does not need to install a transponder or ADS-B Out if you avoid the A,B, C, mode C, and E airspace above 10,000 MSL, but if following the regulations matters to the pilot, a transponder must be on if inside controlled airspace and an ADS-B Out system needs to be in the transmit mode at all times. If you install a UAT with a non mode S transponder, you can be anonymous as long as you squawk 1200 and don't use ATC services.
 
BrianNC said:
@Radar Contact here does it too. I've checked. :D
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Unfortunately it was by necessity...loooong story. For any owner that wants to do the same, it's an easy process. Just go to NBAA's site and they explain the process. The FAA is required to add planes to the list twice a month I believe.

That all said, it still doesn't block you from everyone. ATC can still see your callsign if you have ADS-B out. Not sure what or who else can...
 
ADS-B will sure put a wrench in the old “accidentally transposed my call sign” approach when you’re flying IFR to see your girlfriend while your wife stays home.
 
Let'sgoflying! said:
There are malevolents out there beyond simple burglars, Grum.Man.
Let's say you have a partner or children, or other vulnerable family members; I don't think we should be doing anything to let the BGs know when we are not home.

Thinking about it, there are plenty of valid reasons a person may want to preserve their privacy regarding their movements.
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Totally off topic, but example why to be anonymous, certain unfriendly states to gun owners have been notorious for license plate readers, pulling vehicles to search for guns in any that have a CWL, so many gun owners rent a car, so won't raise red flag when traveling
 
old_biker said:
Totally off topic, but example why to be anonymous, certain unfriendly states to gun owners have been notorious for license plate readers, pulling vehicles to search for guns in any that have a CWL, so many gun owners rent a car, so won't raise red flag when traveling
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This is a very similar issue. I let some friends fly my plane so when it is in the air it does not always mean that I am i it...however if you are tracking my tail number you could make assumptions that I was not where I said I was. It just creates more headaches and things to deal with unnecessarily.
 
adsbexchange doesn't like it when I vote in their poll asking which feature they should add with
"Other: Text alerts so I can track my stalking victim"
 
Johnbo said:
I saw a plane on the ramp over the weekend and wanted to find out what specific model it was so I googled the tail number. Of course I saw all the model details but I also saw all the local flights it had made over the last week which is kind of creepy. I know that if you have filed a flight plan or get a squawk code for flight following you will already show up on these tracker websites but which adsb out systems allow you to mask your id when you not on a flight plan or just doing local flying?

Folks will say that if you are not doing anything wrong then you shouldn’t worry about it...which technical is true but not the point. It really isn’t anyone’s business other than ATC where my plane is especially not the entire worlds population with internet access.

Thx
Click to expand...
I am secure in the knowledge that nobody gives a crap where I am.
 
N1120A said:
With this mandate, there should be a "do not call list" style directory of forcing sites to block ADS-B.

I'd imagine most people would prefer to remain visible, for various reasons, but would be nice for those who don't want that.
Click to expand...

I can't think of a reason for my trips to be visible. Much less a public record to be made of them. To me tracking is tantamount to stalking. Isn't that illegal?
 
old_biker said:
Totally off topic, but example why to be anonymous, certain unfriendly states to gun owners have been notorious for license plate readers, pulling vehicles to search for guns in any that have a CWL, so many gun owners rent a car, so won't raise red flag when traveling
Click to expand...

Friend of mine from Texas was on vacation travelled into New Jersey. Was pulled over and asked about any firearms in his car. Surprised at the trooper's question, he asked why did he ask. Trooper said he saw he had a Texas plate. LOL!!!
 
Steegie said:
Friend of mine from Texas was on vacation travelled into New Jersey. Was pulled over and asked about any firearms in his car. Surprised at the trooper's question, he asked why did he ask. Trooper said he saw he had a Texas plate. LOL!!!
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In Texas they ask everyone. Just to chit chat.
 
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