Public Interest Law Firm Releases New Page Tracking License Plate Reader Abuse Nationwide

ARLINGTON, Va.—Today, the Institute for Justice (IJ) released a new page tracking misuse of automated license plate reader (ALPR) systems across the country. The tracker, which will be routinely updated, currently tallies more than 140 examples of ALPR abuse and misuse such as stalking romantic interests, wrongful stops and detentions, non-law enforcement uses, and other types of misconduct.   

“Unless law enforcement is required to get a warrant before they search an ALPR database, these types of outrageous abuses are going to continue,” said IJ Senior Attorney Robert Frommer. “Measures like requiring supervisor approval before conducting a search or vetting audit logs might sound good, but they fall short in the real world. Rather than ending ALPR abuse, at most these modest reforms would possibly catch some bad actors after the fact, when the damage has already been done.”  

Through its Plate Privacy Project, IJ is engaged in strategic litigation, legislation, media outreach, and activism work to help everyday people push back against the warrantless use of ALPRs and other surveillance technologies. IJ has two active federal lawsuits challenging the warrantless use of ALPRs in Norfolk, Virginia and San Jose, California.