Federal immigration agencies are deploying covert license plate readers (ALPRs) in Southern California, raising privacy concerns. The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) has identified over 40 such devices, disguised in construction barrels and trailers along major roadways, suspected to be operated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the DEA. This deployment may circumvent California’s restrictions on state and local law enforcement sharing license plate data with federal entities.
Proponents argue ALPRs aid in identifying suspects in serious crimes, while critics highlight the indiscriminate collection of driver data and potential for abuse. This shadowy surveillance network operates amidst a significant budget increase for border surveillance technologies, raising questions about due process and the scope of federal data collection on ordinary citizens.