Nobody likes the idea of being followed or tracked. Especially if it is without a warrant. Unfortunately, it looks like that is already happening, as it’s been reported that Automatic license plate readers (ALPR) sold by surveillance companies are doing just that, and tracking a lot of people.
The technology does have a legitimate purpose. It has been used by law enforcement agencies, such as the police or border security, to track potential criminals, so it has a legitimate use. However, it would appear that some forces are beginning to abuse the technology.
It has been reported that some cops are using the technology to stalk people, as these readers can now monitor almost every connected device. So they won’t just read the license plate, they can even track devices such as smartphones and smart watches. Far beyond just a car being tracked.
Even a pet’s microchip or a kid’s AirTag can be tracked using this technology. It also grabs information from our vehicles, something that is incredibly hard to disconnect. With seemingly no laws in place to stop this, the technology could be something that a lot of people become very worried about.
How the Automatic License Plate Readers Are Tracking Us
According to 404 Media, a firm is working to fit more sensors to existing camera systems to allow them to track us in more ways. The company is marketing something called ‘SignalTrace.’ The company says it is to be used to “identify people of interest by the signals emitted from the electronic devices they travel with, such as fitness trackers, smartwatches, RFID tags, and local signals from their mobile phones.”
In effect, this technology will allow the government to create a digital map of our lives. All without us ever knowing about it. So it would be very difficult to stop it from happening, and it could lead to severe anxiety amongst drivers and their passengers. The company behind this says the data will only be used if it is requested by law enforcement. But there has been no word as to whether a warrant is required or not before the data can be accessed.
One of the arguments for using this software is where we are as people. Cars are driving in public spaces, and we walk on public sidewalks, so to expect 100 percent total privacy is, to many, not possible. But the other side is a private company that is holding personal data, and it could be that it retains that data even from those who aren’t being watched by law enforcement.
The Software Has Already Been Abused by Some Cops
404 Media has also released reports that detail certain police abuses of the software, utilizing a system already in place called Flock. There is even a website that allows drivers to check if their license plate has been run through the Flock system, and the reasons why that has been done. That itself isn’t totally egregious, but some police officers have been seen using it to stalk both acquaintances and strangers.
According to 404 Media, one Florida police officer used Flock to stalk his ex-girlfriend and her family for several months in 2024. An office in Missouri did 542 ‘test’ searches over ten months, but did so to monitor the whereabouts of his wife’s car and a mysterious second vehicle, as he suspected she was cheating on him. The newer technology even allows for this to be done via smartphones, smartwatches, and other devices. Such revelations of an abuse of the system will no doubt lead to increased anxiety in a lot of people.