A Bipartisan Amendment Would End Police License Plate Tracking Nationwide
3 hours ago
- #Privacy Rights
- #Legislation
- #Surveillance
- US lawmakers plan to introduce an amendment to prohibit recipients of federal highway funding from using automated license plate readers (ALPRs) for any purpose other than tolling, which would effectively end state and local ALPR programs nationwide.
- The amendment, sponsored by Representatives Scott Perry and Jesús "Chuy" García, targets Title 23 funding that supports about a quarter of US public roads, making it difficult for states and municipalities to continue using ALPRs unless they restrict usage to tolling.
- ALPR cameras capture license plate data, logging times and locations, which privacy advocates argue creates a warrantless tracking system and has been misused, including for tracking individuals based on personal activities like abortion.
- Flock Group, a major ALPR network operator, faced scrutiny in Illinois for sharing data with federal agencies, leading to state action, while other cities like Austin ended its use due to privacy concerns despite police support.
- Legal challenges, including a class action in San Jose, allege ALPR networks violate Fourth Amendment rights, though courts have been hesitant to rule them unconstitutional, noting potential future issues as technology advances.
- The amendment uses Congress's spending power to impose restrictions, similar to past measures on drinking age and DUI standards, allowing states to decline funding but making compliance nearly universal in practice.