Imagine leaving work, visiting a friend, going to the doctor, or driving home – while someone you are trying to escape secretly watches your movements. Now imagine that person has access to a vast police surveillance network capable of tracking your car across an entire community. This is not a hypothetical fear.
At least 21 law enforcement officers nationwide have reportedly been accused of misusing automated license plate reader systems to monitor current partners, former partners, romantic interests, or other people in their lives. In some cases, officers allegedly searched for their victims' vehicles hundreds of times.
Sign the petition urging cities and counties across the country to cancel contracts for warrantless, always-on license plate surveillance networks and prevent these powerful tracking systems from being abused.
Automated license plate readers, including cameras operated by Flock Safety, allow police to search records showing where vehicles have been seen. Privacy advocates were already concerned that these systems could be used to monitor immigrants, protesters, people seeking reproductive or gender-affirming care, and other vulnerable communities. Now, reports reveal another frightening risk: officers allegedly using this technology to track current partners, exes, romantic interests, and even strangers.
In some cases, officers allegedly searched for people's vehicles hundreds of times. Companies claim that safeguards and internal audits can prevent abuse, but many of these reported cases came to light only after victims noticed troubling behavior and contacted authorities themselves. That is not an effective safeguard.
These known cases may represent only a fraction of the problem. Across the country, some communities are already reconsidering or ending their use of automated license plate readers because of concerns about privacy, data security, and warrantless surveillance. More communities should follow.
Public safety should not require giving police access to a searchable record of innocent people's daily movements. Sign the petition now to urge cities, counties, and police departments across the country to cancel contracts for warrantless, always-on license plate reader networks and invest in public safety measures that do not track the daily movements of innocent people.
