Automated License Plate Recognition systems are increasingly deployed by law enforcement agencies worldwide to capture and analyse vehicle registration data. ALPR systems use high-speed cameras with infrared filters and optical character recognition technology to automatically scan license plates comparing them against databases of vehicles of interest. As of 2019 16 US states have enacted limits on data retention ranging from 3 minutes in New Hampshire to 3 years in Colorado. The Supreme Court of Virginia ruled in 2020 that ALPR data collected is not personal identifying information. Privacy advocates including the Electronic Frontier Foundation argue that continuous monitoring constitutes unreasonable searches violating constitutional protections.
Retrieved: 2025-11-12 | Language: EN | Reading time: 5 min read