Invasion Of Privacy? License Plate Scanner Database Tells Cops Where You've Been

Police are recording and storing information on millions of thousands of license plates that aren't related to any known activity of interest to law enforcement, according to data collected by the American Civil Libertines Union as a result of Freedom of Information requests in 38 states.

The license-plate scanners, fastened to the rear fenders or trunk of some police cars as well as on signs. bridges and other objects, are, "in effect, government location tracking systems recording the movements of many millions of innocent Americans in huge databases," said ACLU Staff Attorney Catherine Crump, the report's lead author.

 

randy3023 - 7/17/2013 2:01:47 PM

+2 Boost

Any person can grab a notepad and pen and take a seat at an intersection and write down plate numbers of cars they see. This is not illegal.

Is it outrageous that the government is doing this? Yes. But you people voted for big government and these perennially corrupt 6-,7-, and 8-term politicians like CHUCK SCHUMER so enjoy your bloated mess.

thomas - 7/20/2013 9:39:51 AM

+1 Boost

I have nothing to hide so I'm all for it if it is used in a proactive way to deter terrorism and crime.

In 10 years or less we will all have mandatory black boxes in our cars recording and reporting real time everything we do in order to have and maintain insurance coverage anyways.

This horrific future certainty is already rolling out in Ontario on a volunteer basis and marketed as a cost saving program for safe drivers who slow down our roads. I'm going to miss driving fast and cornering hard. Damn insurance companies!

thomas - 7/20/2013 9:39:51 AM

+1 Boost

I have nothing to hide so I'm all for it if it is used in a proactive way to deter terrorism and crime.

In 10 years or less we will all have mandatory black boxes in our cars recording and reporting real time everything we do in order to have and maintain insurance coverage anyways.

This horrific future certainty is already rolling out in Ontario on a volunteer basis and marketed as a cost saving program for safe drivers who slow down our roads. I'm going to miss driving fast and cornering hard. Damn insurance companies!