Automated license plate reader (ALPR) technology is widely used by law enforcement agencies across the United States to help enhance public safety and solve crimes. But recent reports show that this technology is also being used in ways that may threaten privacy and civil rights, particularly when it comes to immigration enforcement.
Are License Plate Readers Being Used for Deportations?
State and local police agencies across the United States have been using automated license plate reader (ALPR) systems to assist U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in immigration-related investigations. A recent report from 404 Media revealed that Flock Safety’s ALPR network, which operates in more than 5,000 communities nationwide, has been used by law enforcement agencies to perform over 4,000 license plate lookups directly linked to immigration enforcement.
When officers use Flock’s system to run a license plate search, they must provide a reason. Records show that police departments across the country entered terms like “immigration,” “ICE,” “ICE+ERO” (ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations division focused on deportations), “illegal immigration,” and “ICE WARRANT.” Many of these searches were made either at ICE’s request or as informal favors, effectively giving federal law enforcement access to local surveillance data without formal contracts, public disclosure, or community approval.
Why Are Centralized ALPR Networks a Threat to Privacy?
Flock Safety has built a vast, centralized network of thousands of fixed and mobile ALPR cameras throughout the U.S., continuously collecting vehicle license plate data. Although marketed as a tool to reduce neighborhood crime and enhance public safety, this infrastructure has also created a massive pool of vehicle movement data that can be tapped by third parties, including federal law enforcement.
This raises serious concerns:
- Should local license plate data be used for federal investigations without the community’s knowledge or consent?
- Who really owns and controls this information?
- How transparent are the agreements between private companies, police departments, and the public?
Privacy experts warn that this type of “backdoor” access gives federal agencies like ICE unrestricted use of local surveillance networks. Without meaningful oversight, ALPR data could be used for virtually any purpose, with no transparency, no accountability, and no input from the communities being monitored.
Why Should Communities Choose PLACA.AI?
At PLACA.AI, we believe license plate recognition technology should empower communities, not compromise them. That’s why our solutions are designed with privacy, control, and transparency at their core. Here’s how we’re different:
- You Own Your Data: Your LPR data is yours. We never sell, share, or hand over access to outside entities, including law enforcement.
- Custom Software, Custom Rules: Every deployment is customizable to your needs and your rules. You control who can access your data and under what circumstances.
- No Backdoor Access: Our technology is built for your protection, not secret access. No government agency can view or access your data without your direct, explicit permission.
- No Centralized Database: Your data is stored securely with you. We don’t upload or pool your information into national networks where it can be exploited or misused.
- Transparency by Design: We openly share our privacy policies and are committed to ethical, responsible technology. You’ll always know where your data is, who can access it, and how it’s being used.
PLACA.AI: A Safer, Privacy-First ALPR Solution
Flock’s quiet cooperation with ICE is a clear example of how surveillance technology can be misused when communities lose control. When local agencies give up that control, whether through formal agreements or informal favors, it’s more than a violation of privacy; it’s a breakdown of public trust.
At PLACA.AI, we’re proving that there’s a better way. Our technology helps communities stay safe without turning residents into surveillance targets. By putting control back in your hands, you can harness powerful LPR tools without sacrificing privacy or civil liberties.
If you’re looking for a license plate recognition system that protects your community’s rights and privacy, PLACA.AI is the partner you can trust. Contact us today at sales@placa.ai or call (214) 988-4318 to discover how a privacy-first LPR solution can work for you, not against your community.
