Senators Warnock and Britt seek federal oversight of license plate readers

U.S. Senators Raphael Warnock and Katie Britt have called for increased federal oversight and guidance regarding the use of automatic license plate readers (ALPRs). In a joint letter to U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche, the senators urged the Department of Justice to issue guidelines for state and local law enforcement and to disclose the amount of federal funding allocated to these technologies.

The request follows reports of widespread misuse of ALPR systems. The senators noted that dozens of law enforcement officers nationwide face criminal charges for unauthorized use, including at least 30 cases involving the stalking of romantic partners. The letter emphasizes the need for safeguards such as access controls, auditing, and supervisory reviews to prevent rogue actors from using tracking capabilities to harm citizens.

While ALPR technology, such as systems produced by Atlanta-based Flock, is used to locate stolen vehicles and missing persons, it has faced significant privacy concerns. Data from the Institute for Justice cites 244 incidents of ALPR abuse across the United States, including 81 in Georgia.