A bill moving through the California Legislature aims to establish uniform statewide regulations for the use of automated license plate readers (ALPRs), technology used by surveillance company Flock Safety. Senate Bill 1013, authored by Sen. Sabrina Cervantes, has passed the state Senate and is now under consideration in the Assembly.
If enacted, the bill would require public agencies utilizing license plate readers to implement officer training, maintain logs of database searches, undergo annual audits by the California Department of Justice, and delete ALPR data after 30 days unless it is linked to an active criminal investigation. Currently, California hosts more than 16,000 Flock cameras, the highest concentration in the United States.
Privacy advocates argue that ALPR systems facilitate mass surveillance, with cameras continuously collecting vehicle information and raising concerns about the extent of government monitoring. Seth Hall of the Trust SD Coalition, an organization advocating for greater oversight of surveillance technologies, stated that "people are bothered by mass surveillance."
Senator Cervantes emphasized that the bill seeks to balance privacy concerns with law enforcement's investigative needs. "This bill is about one simple principle: protecting the privacy and safety of Californians while ensuring law enforcement tools are used responsibly," Cervantes told CBS 8.
However, the bill faces potential challenges. Last year, Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed a similar proposal that would have mandated a 60-day data deletion period, citing concerns that such restrictions could impede law enforcement investigations. State Sen. Kelly Seyarto, a Republican, opposes the current bill, expressing concern that the proposed 30-day data retention limit could pose public safety risks by hindering investigators' ability to solve crimes.
Law enforcement agencies, meanwhile, have described ALPR technology as a crucial investigative resource. Lt. Kristopher McAndrew of the San Diego Police Department, which utilizes approximately 500 Flock Safety cameras, stated that the technology assists officers daily in recovering stolen vehicles and apprehending suspects. McAndrew noted that the department already adheres to a 30-day data retention policy for its ALPR data.