The Hidden Tracking Risk Inside Your Tires

In this episode, Tom Eston and co-host Scott Wright discuss research showing that Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) can create privacy risks because the sensors broadcast unencrypted, uniquely identifying wireless signals that could be used to track vehicles. They reference a 10-week study by researchers at IMDEA in Madrid that collected about 6 million signals from over 20,000 cars at roughly 50 meters range, noting the signals can reveal details like tire pressure, car type, weight, and possible driving patterns, and can be captured with about $100 of equipment. The hosts explain TPMS is a safety feature required on 2008+ cars, consider realistic threat models and potential mitigations like rotating identifiers or encryption. Show notes: https://sharedsecurity.net/2026/03/30/the-hidden-tracking-risk-inside-your-tires/