The increasing use of license plate cameras by law enforcement agencies and private companies in South Carolina has sparked concerns about privacy and the lack of regulations governing the collection, retention and use of data. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) warns that Flock Safety a nationwide company selling cameras to cities and private entities, is creating an “AI-driven mass-surveillance system.”
In South Carolina, state representative Todd Rutherford had no idea Flock was putting up cameras without permits until I told him.
He told me he's now going to move forward with a bill that regulates how and when ALPR cameras go up.https://t.co/vNuUhKVFun
— Thomas Brewster (@iblametom) February 27, 2024
Rep. Todd Rutherford D-Richland told The Post and Courier, “ALPRs sound innocuous, but they’re an invasion into our privacy rights. The government shouldn’t have access to this.” Paul Bowers with the ACLU echoed these sentiments, stating, “None of us expect that our movements will be tracked simply for driving on a public road. Unfortunately, that is the reality.”
The concerns come after the South Carolina Department of Transportation discovered more than 200 unpermitted Flock Safety cameras during routine monitoring of public roads. Transportation Secretary Christy Hall noted the lack of public policy regarding the use of these devices and the privacy concerns surrounding the collection handling and disposition of the data they collect.
In response to ongoing litigation and the lack of regulation the state’s transportation department has paused approval of new license plate readers on state roads. However this pause does not prevent cities counties and private property owners from installing new cameras according to Flock Safety spokesman Connor Metz.
As the debate over the balance between privacy and safety continues, there is a pressing need for elected officials to intervene. They are being urged to establish policies that safeguard people’s liberty while enabling law enforcement to leverage technology to combat crime.
