The license plate surveillance system used by the police was built by Rekor, an AI company that has sold its technology to at least 23 police departments and local governments across America. The company's software can be installed in already deployed cameras and has been aggregating vehicle location data from customers for the last three years. This has raised concerns among civil rights activists, especially in light of recent revelations that license plate reader data is being shared with states that have banned abortion. The use of AI in surveillance is expanding with little legal protection for the average American.
Key takeaways:
- The Westchester County Police Department used an AI tool to identify suspicious vehicle behavior, leading to a drug trafficking arrest. The AI analyzed 1.6 billion license plate records collected over two years from across New York State.
- The AI system, built by Rekor, scanned over 16 million license plates a week, using both stationary and mobile cameras. It also noted vehicle make, model, and color. The system's broad surveillance has raised concerns about privacy and the Fourth Amendment.
- Rekor has sold its Automatic License Plate Recognition (ALPR) technology to at least 23 police departments and local governments across America. The company's software can be installed in already deployed cameras and runs the Rekor Public Safety Network, which aggregates vehicle location data from customers.
- The expansion of ALPR technology is raising concerns among privacy advocates, as it allows for mass surveillance with little legal protection for the public. The technology is also being used in the retail and fast food industry, with companies like McDonalds and White Castle using ALPR to tailor customer experiences.