Traffic Violation! License Plate Reader Mission Creep Is Already Here
6 hours ago
- #privacy
- #ALPR
- #surveillance
- Automated license plate readers (ALPRs) are being used beyond their intended scope, as seen in a Georgia State Patrol case where a motorcyclist was ticketed for holding a phone, captured by a Flock Safety ALPR.
- Flock Safety previously stated their ALPRs do not perform facial recognition, store biometrics, or enforce traffic violations, but evidence shows their technology is being used for traffic enforcement.
- Flock Safety now partners with six companies providing traffic enforcement technology, and public records indicate speed enforcement cameras are connected to Flock's ALPR network.
- Privacy advocates like EFF warn about mission creep in surveillance infrastructure, where technology initially limited to serious crimes is later used for petty offenses or monitoring protests.
- There is a call for cities, states, and companies to end relationships with Flock Safety due to concerns over mass surveillance and the erosion of civil liberties.