AI-powered license plate recognition systems are increasingly used for invasive surveillance, enabling abuses such as stalking by law enforcement officers. These systems go beyond reading plates, capturing detailed vehicle and personal data. A new website, alpr.watch, helps citizens track and oppose proposed camera installations to protect privacy and prevent misuse. Understanding legal rights and community action is crucial to resisting this growing surveillance threat.
A recent incident illustrates the dangers of such technology in the wrong hands. A police officer in Menasha, was charged with misconduct for using the license plate recognition system to track his ex-girlfriend. Despite knowing it was wrong, the officer cited desperation, bad judgment, and lack of sleep as reasons for his actions.
He accessed the system five times to monitor her vehicle’s location. As a result, he was placed on administrative leave and banned from accessing the Flock cameras or working as a police officer during his bond.