New York Bill Would Limit ALPR Use by Police; Help Stop National License Plate Tracking Program

ALBANY, N.Y. (Jan. 17, 2018) – A bill introduced in the New York Senate would put strict limitations on the use of automated license plate reader systems (ALPRs) by the state. Passage into law would also place significant roadblocks in the way of a federal program using states to help track the location of millions of…

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Nebraska Bill Would Limit ALPR Data, Help Block National License Plate Tracking Program

LINCOLN, Neb. (Jan. 8, 2018) – A bill filed in the Nebraska legislature would put limitations on the storage and sharing of information collected by Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs) by law enforcement in the state, and place significant roadblocks in the way of a federal program using states to help track the location of…

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New Montana Law Limits ALPR Use, Helps Block National License Plate Tracking Program

HELENA, Mont. (Sept. 30, 2017) – Tomorrow, a Montana law that limits the use of Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs) in the state goes into effect. The new law will also place significant roadblocks in the way of a federal program using states to help track the location of millions of everyday people through pictures…

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California Organizations Use Available Tools to Fight for Privacy

In a previous report, we pointed out that simply passing laws isn’t enough. Ensuring government agencies comply with transparency requirements and limits on surveillance activities takes constant vigilance, pressure and activism. Some organizations in California are doing just that. In an effort to better understand how police in Los Angeles use automatic license plate readers, the…

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Local Activism Opportunities Everywhere! But How Do I Do It?

Last week, I took a long weekend and drove down to Florida with my son to meet my new niece, and visit with my mom and sister. While I was there, I saw something that got me pretty riled up. My mom and sister live in the small island town of Fernandina Beach. It has…

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Nashville Metro Council Passes Ordinance Taking First Step Toward Limiting the Surveillance State

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (June 13, 2017) – Last week, the Metropolitan Council of Nashville and Davidson County overwhelmingly passed an ordinance taking the first step toward limiting the unchecked use of surveillance technologies that violate basic privacy rights and feed into a broader national surveillance state. Councilman Dave Rosenberg introduced ordinance No. BL2017-646 in March. The…

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Massachusetts Bills Would Limit ALPRs, Help Block National License Plate Tracking Program

BOSTON, Mass. (May 19, 2017) – Bills introduced in the Massachusetts House and Senate would put strict limitations on the use of automated license plate reader systems (ALPRs) by the state. Passage into law would also place significant roadblocks in the way of a federal program using states to help track the location of millions of…

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New York Bill Would Limit ALPRs, Help Block National License Plate Tracking Program

ALBANY, N.Y. (April 27, 2017) – A bill introduced in the New York Senate would put strict limitations on the use of automated license plate reader systems (ALPRs) by the state. Passage into law would also place significant roadblocks in the way of a federal program using states to help track the location of millions of…

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Signed by the Governor: Montana Laws to Limit License Plate Tracking and Warrantless Electronic Data Collection

HELENA, Mont. (April 17, 2017) – On Friday, Montana Gov. Steve Bullock signed two bills into law that will increase privacy protections in the state and hinder at least two federal surveillance programs. The new laws will ban warrantless collection of data from an electronic device in most situations, and limit the use of Automated…

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Virginia House Rejects Bill to Restrict ALPR Use, Help Block National License Plate Tracking Program

RICHMOND, Va. (April 11, 2017) – The Virginia House of Delegates rejected a bill that would have limited the use of automatic license plate readers (ALPRs), and restrict the retention and sharing of collected data. If passed into law, the bill would have not only protected privacy in Virginia, but would have also hindered some…

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