License Plate Readers Raise Privacy Concerns for Truck Drivers

As U.S. authorities expand the use of Automatic License Plate Readers (ALPRs) to combat crime, concerns are mounting over the impact this technology may have on the privacy and security of truck drivers.

These systems, deployed by law enforcement agencies, municipalities, and private companies, capture millions of license plate records each month to help locate stolen vehicles, missing persons, and support criminal investigations. However, a recent report from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) warns that the technology’s capabilities, and the sharing of collected data, may extend far beyond those stated objectives.

The report focuses part of its criticism on Flock Safety, one of the leading ALPR providers in the United States. According to the ACLU, the company misrepresented the capabilities of its system to officials in multiple local governments, particularly regarding vehicle tracking and data sharing with other agencies.

One of the most notable cases occurred in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, where the city council canceled a contract with Flock Safety just 24 hours after approving it. During a public meeting, local police confirmed that the platform could reconstruct a vehicle’s location history over time, prompting the city to terminate the agreement. Flock Safety responded that its technology has helped solve high-profile cases and improve public safety.

License Plate Readers Put Privacy at Risk

Privacy concerns also extend to data sharing between agencies. The ACLU’s investigation documents cases in which authorities from different states accessed ALPR databases for investigations that later sparked controversy. In addition, several municipalities discovered that information could be shared with federal agencies, even in jurisdictions where state law limits or prohibits that practice.

In response to the criticism, Flock Safety CEO Garrett Langley acknowledged that the company had not clearly communicated some of its policies and said changes have been implemented to give customers greater control over when and with whom they share data.

Privacy concerns have already prompted legislative action in several states. Over the past year, Arkansas, Idaho, and Virginia have revised their ALPR laws, while Washington and Kentucky enacted new restrictions limiting the technology’s use to authorized law enforcement functions. Illinois is also considering legislation that would shorten data retention periods and further restrict the use of ALPR systems.

Meanwhile, California and Virginia prohibit local agencies from sharing ALPR data with federal authorities or agencies in other states, while New York is considering penalties for organizations that assist in the enforcement of federal civil immigration laws through the use of these systems.

An Additional Concern for the Trucking Industry

For truck drivers, the debate carries additional significance. The trucking industry is already experiencing an increase in monitoring and tracking technologies used by both government agencies and private carriers.

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) has long supported a proposal requiring all commercial trucks to carry a universal electronic identifier that would allow inspectors to identify vehicles remotely and prioritize safety inspections.

However, the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) opposes the proposal, arguing that it represents an invasion of truckers’ privacy and would impose unnecessary costs without delivering proven safety benefits.

For many drivers, the combination of automatic license plate readers, electronic identification systems, and other monitoring technologies raises important questions about striking the right balance between public safety and the right to privacy, especially in an industry where nearly every mile traveled is becoming increasingly tracked.