CBP Admits Americans Can’t Avoid License Plate Surveillance
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has acknowledged in a recent privacy assessment that there is no feasible way for Americans to prevent their movements from being tracked by its expansive license plate reader network.
How CBP Expands Its Surveillance Reach
In its updated privacy assessment, CBP revealed plans to integrate a commercial database that aggregates license plate data from both public and private sources. This move significantly expands the agency’s ability to monitor vehicle movements nationwide as part of border enforcement operations.
The Scale of License Plate Surveillance
- The U.S. maintains a vast network of automated license plate readers (ALPRs), primarily mounted on roadside infrastructure
- These systems can capture thousands of license plates per minute
- Collected data is stored in massive databases accessible to law enforcement agencies
- This enables tracking of vehicle movements across the country with unprecedented scope
Privacy Concerns and Lack of Transparency
The agency updated its privacy assessment partially due to concerns that Americans “may not be aware” of CBP’s license plate data collection capabilities. Key issues include:
- No consistent signage about data collection practices
- Limited public understanding of how collected data may be shared
- No practical opt-out mechanism for citizens
In the assessment, CBP stated: “The only way to opt out of such surveillance is to avoid the impacted area, which may pose significant hardships and be generally unrealistic.”
Historical Context of CBP Surveillance
This approach mirrors CBP’s 2017 stance regarding facial recognition trials at airports, where the agency suggested travelers who objected to scanning should “refrain from traveling.” Both policies have drawn criticism from privacy advocates.
Expanded Surveillance Authority
The privacy assessment notes heightened risks because:
- CBP can access license plate data from anywhere in the U.S.
- This includes areas far beyond the typical 100-mile border enforcement zone
- Data retention policies allow access for up to five years from collection date
CBP claims it will mitigate risks by:
- Only accessing data with “circumstantial or supporting evidence” for investigations
- Restricting data access to authorized CBP personnel
Past Security Failures Raise Concerns
CBP’s track record with license plate data security includes:
- A 2019 breach where subcontractor Perceptics improperly copied data on nearly 100,000 individuals
- The incident occurred over six weeks at a southern border port of entry
- CBP subsequently suspended its contract with the company
When questioned about privacy implications, CBP spokesperson Matthew Dyman responded: “How would you be able to opt out of a license plate reader? Can I opt out of speed cameras here in DC?”
This latest development continues the ongoing debate about balancing national security needs with individual privacy rights in an era of expanding digital surveillance.
Related: Police License Plate Readers Remain Vulnerable to Online Exposure
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