this post was submitted on 18 Aug 2026
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Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs) are AI-powered cameras that capture and analyze images of all passing vehicles, storing details like your car’s location, date, and time. They also capture your car’s make, model, color, and identifying features such as dents, roof racks, and bumper stickers, often turning these into searchable data points. These cameras collect data on millions of vehicles—regardless of whether the driver is suspected of a crime. While these systems can be useful for tracking stolen cars or wanted individuals, they are mostly used to track the movements of innocent people.
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It seems haphazard because they're not just installed by local governments, they're also are bought by companies and private parties that can then enable access of those feeds to law enforcement. It's how they can say they aren't a mass surveillance company, because customers are also willingly sharing all their data to help expand the dragnet under the guise of increased safety.