tech
Police surveillance is not just for emergencies, no matter what they say
Once the use of a surveillance technology is permitted for emergency purposes only, it is only a matter of time before it is used for purposes that fall well outside any rational definition of an emergency.
TL;DR
- Automatic license plate readers (ALPRs) capture time-stamped data including license plate number, location, color, and even items visible in a vehicle's interior.
- This information is transferred to a searchable nationwide database accessible by law enforcement.
- ALPRs track the movements of innocent citizens, recording visits to doctors, political protests, and personal relationships.
- Law enforcement often downplays privacy concerns, stating the technology is only used for criminals and emergencies.
- The article argues that the acceptable uses for this surveillance technology are expanding beyond emergency situations.