[ben_w]

Genuine question, IANAL: how is this different from car registration plates, which Google blurs out to avoid this kind of problem for normal people? Ditto all the data protection issues about ANPR systems.

(This isn't to defended Musk, quite the contrary given he tweeted a number plate).

[_Algernon_]

Registration plates aren't already tracked and made available publicly wherever they are. Planes are.

[narvval]

Many aircraft, particularly those flying IFR, are required by law in many jurisdictions to broadcast their location to reduce the risk of collisions and facilitate air traffic control. Check aviation transponder interrogation modes and ADS-B in particular

[onion2k]

how is this different from car registration plates, which Google blurs out to avoid this kind of problem for normal people?

Google chooses to blur it. I don't think they're legally obligated to.

[blondin]

it's an interesting question actually.

we track planes for safety reasons. when a plane disappear from the radar, it's a big deal. an educated guess why cars aren't tracked is privacy and there are too many.

but in a world where cars are going to be electric, these problems might go away.