The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) have filed a lawsuit against San Jose, California, over its extensive use of Flock’s automatic license plate recognition (ALPR) cameras. The case, which was initiated on behalf of the Services, Immigrant Rights & Education Network and Council on American-Islamic Relations, claims that the city’s nearly 500 surveillance cameras have created an invasive network that tracks residents’ movements. The lawsuit argues that the retention of license plate data for up to a year violates California’s privacy laws and the state constitution, as well as the Fourth Amendment rights of individuals.
According to the lawsuit, the city’s ALPR program is particularly alarming due to its scale and the way it infringes on daily life. Most residents of San Jose rely on personal vehicles for commuting, picking up their children, and accessing medical care. The lawsuit emphasizes that the city’s decision to blanket its roads with ALPRs has made it nearly impossible for citizens to avoid surveillance, raising serious concerns over privacy and data security. This case is part of a broader trend of legal challenges targeting Flock’s technology, with a similar lawsuit in Norfolk, Virginia, seeking to shut down the surveillance network entirely.
The legal action also highlights the need for stricter oversight of surveillance technologies. The ACLU and EFF are seeking a court order that would require law enforcement agencies to obtain warrants before accessing Flock’s license plate database. This move comes amid growing public concern over the use of mass surveillance and the potential for abuse of such systems. The case is likely to have significant implications for the future of surveillance technology in the United States, particularly in the context of privacy rights and constitutional protections.