Citing major concerns about privacy and misuse, communities across the country are increasingly pushing back against automated license plate reader (ALPR) technology.
Amid the national debate, the Security Industry Association (SIA) has issued a call for the responsible and effective use of ALPR technology and released policy principles designed to guide the development of administrative and legislative actions by states and federal governments.
“SIA firmly believes that all technology products, including automated license plate recognition, must only be used for purposes that are lawful, ethical, and nondiscriminatory. We are proud to be the first industry trade association to publicly call for the responsible and effective use of this technology, which is an essential public safety tool,” said SIA CEO Don Erickson.
“ALPR is not—and must never become—a tool for mass surveillance or tracking law-abiding citizens,” Erickson continued. “Public policy governing the use of ALPR systems should ensure a heightened level of accountability for government use, provide strong prohibitions against misuse, and authorize meaningful enforcement mechanisms. SIA stands ready to wholeheartedly support responsible and balanced approaches to ensuring appropriate use of ALPR in the public and commercial sectors.”
The guidance issued by SIA includes:
- An overview of ALPR technology and ALPR data;
- How constitutional protections should be safeguarded when using ALPR systems;
- An exploration of concerns around “warrantless” use of ALPR systems;
- How policymakers should address concerns about ALPR;
- Policy principles designed to guard against misuse, protect privacy, mitigate operational or procedural issues, and ensure safeguards specific to law enforcement use, while preserving public safety benefits;
- Examples of ALPR effectiveness and value; and
- Recommended law enforcement community resources on ALPR technology and policy.
The guidance is available here.