Police agencies across the U.S. have deployed Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs) to capture images of passing vehicles along with time, date, and GPS coordinates. While the technology itself isn’t new (ALPRs have existed in various forms for
more than 50 years
, and in
the U.S. since 1998
), the surveillance landscape has shifted dramatically. Rapid advances in artificial intelligence and national data sharing have transformed police ALPRs into an interconnected, nationwide tracking network. It is pitched to city councils by law enforcement and private vendors like Flock Safety, Motorola Solutions (Vigilant), and Axon as an essential tool for solving violent crime.
In reality, it is an inherently dangerous infrastructure of mass surveillance.
Since
2012
, EFF has worked with others to expose the severe digital rights harms of ALPR systems. For example, we’ve recently documented how these camera networks allow law enforcement to
search for immigrants
,
track peaceful protesters
, target
Romani communities
, and
track women seeking reproductive healthcare
. Police also routinely use ALPRs for low-level matters like enforcing
school residency requirements or investigating noise complaints
. Many officers also use ALPR databases to
stalk past romantic partners
.
Recent EFF analysis
revealed officers using the system without legitimate justification—logging search reasons like "LOL" and "LMAO."
Understandably, the public backlash to police ALPR technology is accelerating, and state lawmakers across the country are taking action.
New Hampshire enacted the
nation’s first state law
on ALPR use in 2007, but technological advances and misconduct have driven even more recent legislative action. In 2026 alone, six states enacted laws that limit police use of ALPRs:
Connecticut
,
Kentucky
,
New Jersey
,
New Mexico
,
Oregon
and
Washington
.
This is a good start, but far more is needed. This blog presents a framework for state legislators who want to stop

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