ALPRs use AI to track vehicle movements, creating significant privacy risks regarding data storage and unauthorized access. To protect your privacy, advocate for local ordinances that mandate short data-retention periods and strict limits on who can access your location history.
Automated license plate readers (ALPRs) track vehicle movements across the US. Learn how this technology works and the privacy risks associated with it.
Discover how municipal exits from the Flock Safety network impact surveillance utility and the critical factors cities must weigh regarding privacy and data.
Flock Safety is mandating audit tools to prevent police misuse of surveillance data. Learn how these systems work and the limitations of tech-based oversight.
Yes, ALPR cameras are generally legal, but their use is governed by local and state laws. There is no federal law banning their use, which means regulations depend entirely on your city or county's specific contracts and policies regarding data collection and retention.
Data retention periods vary significantly by jurisdiction and vendor policy. Some agencies delete data after a few days, while others store it for months or years. You should request a copy of your local police department’s ALPR policy to determine exactly how long they maintain your records.
No, there is no practical way to opt out of ALPR surveillance if you are driving on public roads. Because these cameras are designed to scan all passing traffic, they capture data on any vehicle that enters their field of view regardless of the driver's consent.
Access typically depends on the contract between the camera vendor and the local agency. In many cases, it is limited to law enforcement, but some contracts allow for data sharing with other agencies or private companies. Transparency reports and public record requests are the best ways to determine access levels.
A shared network relies on geographic continuity to track vehicle movement. When cities leave, they create 'blind spots' in the grid, preventing law enforcement from maintaining a continuous travel history of suspects across municipal boundaries, which significantly reduces the effectiveness of the remaining data.