Are Your Local Police Using Flock Safety ALPRs to Scan for Immigrants?
Summary
The article reveals that Flock Safety automated license plate reader (ALPR) systems, used by local police, allow agencies to subscribe to an "Immigration Violator" hotlist exclusively populated by ICE. This hotlist includes vehicles associated with administrative warrants, which are issued without judicial review. Local agencies receive alerts when a vehicle on this list is sighted, potentially leading to contact with ICE.
IFF Assessment
This information is concerning for defenders of privacy and civil liberties, as it highlights how surveillance technology enables targeting of immigrants without judicial oversight.
Defender Context
Defenders need to be aware of the expansive capabilities of surveillance technologies like ALPRs and how data sharing agreements can be exploited for purposes that circumvent judicial oversight and civil liberties. This trend underscores the importance of advocating for strong data privacy laws, transparency in government technology procurement, and accountability for how personal data is collected, shared, and used by law enforcement agencies. It also highlights the need to understand the implications of administrative warrants versus judicial warrants in the context of digital surveillance.