Congress Considers Bills to Limit License Plate Reader Use

Bills in the U.S. Congress aim to curtail the use of automated license plate readers (ALPRs) by law enforcement, a move that could significantly impact communities and businesses relying on this technology.

What Happened
Senator Josh Hawley, R-Mo., announced the introduction of a bill designed to set strict regulations on the use of automated license plate readers. Dubbed the Stop Flock Abuse Act, this legislation seeks to ban facial recognition technology, prohibit data sharing with non-governmental entities, and mandate the deletion of driver data after 10 days, with limited exceptions. The bill also requires law enforcement to obtain written approval before data searches and maintain audit logs. This announcement follows Rep. Thomas Massie's introduction of the Flock-Off Act in the House, which proposes to withhold federal funds from municipalities using ALPRs and biometric surveillance cameras. These legislative moves come amidst growing opposition to ALPRs, with over 50 U.S. cities and counties severing ties with Flock Safety, a company that has partnered with more than 7,000 law enforcement agencies.

What This Means for Your Business
For businesses in the architecture, engineering, construction, and manufacturing (AECM) sectors, these bills could reshape how municipalities and law enforcement agencies budget for and deploy surveillance technology. Compliance with new federal guidelines may necessitate changes in procurement processes and technology deployment strategies. Companies providing infrastructure for ALPRs might see fluctuations in demand as federal funding becomes contingent on adherence to new regulations. Additionally, the potential for increased compliance burdens could influence the cost structure and ROI of projects involving surveillance infrastructure. Given the pivotal role of data security and privacy in federal contracts, AECM firms should prepare for heightened scrutiny and possibly new compliance requirements.

What US Operators Should Watch
AECM professionals should closely monitor the legislative progress of both the Stop Flock Abuse Act and the Flock-Off Act. Key dates include future congressional hearings and votes, which will determine the final shape of these regulations. Additionally, businesses should track any updates to compliance frameworks such as CMMC and NIST that could arise from these legislative changes. Firms should also prepare for potential shifts in federal funding priorities that could impact project planning and execution.

Source: https://www.smartcitiesdive.com/news/flock-fight-moves-to-congress/831893/. Read the original story ->

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The legislative changes regarding automated license plate readers may create new opportunities and challenges for AECM firms seeking federal contracts. Understanding compliance requirements and federal funding dynamics will be crucial for businesses aiming to navigate this evolving landscape.

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