The FBI Wants to Buy Nationwide Access to License Plate Readers
The FBI has issued a procurement notice indicating its intent to buy a subscription for nationwide access to automated license plate reader (ALPR) data. The document, obtained by 404 Media, states the agency wants 'nationwide access to ALPR data' for investigative purposes. ALPR systems, often mounted on police cars or fixed locations, capture images of license plates and record the time, date, and GPS coordinates. Commercial vendors like Flock Safety and Vigilant Solutions aggregate this data from thousands of cameras, allowing law enforcement to track vehicles across jurisdictions. The FBI's request suggests it seeks a single contract covering the entire US, rather than regional agreements. Privacy advocates argue this could enable warrantless mass surveillance of Americans' movements. The procurement is in its early stages, with no awarded contract or cost disclosed. The FBI has not commented on how it would ensure data accuracy or limit access to prevent misuse.
Developers building privacy-focused or surveillance-resistant tech may face new legal and ethical challenges.