Automated license plate readers (ALPRs) are high-speed, computer-controlled camera systems that are typically mounted on street poles, streetlights, highway overpasses, mobile trailers, or attached to police squad cars. ALPRs automatically capture all license plate numbers that come into view,...
  • Tryp@fuckreddit.tryp.digital
    2·
    3 years ago

    So you could use this technology to track and predict police movements too eh? Hmmmmmmmmm

    Technology like this poses a unique challenge because it’s impossible to actually stop people from doing it if they want to. It’s just a camera pointing outside and software in the end. Obviously more regulations (with real consequences) need to be enforced because of how easily it can be abused by police but that’s what we do (or should do?) for all powers we give them.

    https://github.com/openalpr/openalpr

    https://www.openalpr.com/

    How do we stop police from doing what anybody with a little tech experience can do? Even if we did legislate it out but then someone is publicly doing it with no explicit purpose, are the police allowed to use it too? How could you ever stop them?

    At the opposite end of the spectrum I often think about modern safer ways of policing and one of those ways is to limit police interactions when possible. Why should I get pulled over for a speeding ticket or busted headlight? Take the data, have it verified by actual legal scholars (rather than empowered thugs) and send me the ticket in the mail. Why should the cop in the car ever be notified this is happening?

    Like always, technology poses new risks and benefits that should be explored.