Automatic license plate readers (ALPRs) are among the fastest-growing forms of mass surveillance, logging over 20 billion license plate scans per month. This technology, which can track and locate vehicles and their drivers in near real time, is increasingly used by law enforcement to help investigate crimes without first obtaining a warrant. But without proper oversight, privacy experts warn such a trove of personal data is ripe for abuse.
Take the case of Lamar Roman, a 28-year-old married sheriff's deputy living in South Florida, who couldn't resist the temptation to use these powerful surveillance tools for his own personal gain.
