Recognizing technology designed to help solve crimes also can be weaponized against innocent people, New Mexico has adopted a law privacy advocates and civil rights groups called "groundbreaking."

The Driver Privacy and Safety Act passed this year establishes the first statewide regulations for automatic license plate reader data. Many watchdogs fear information collected by such systems could be used to track where people seek medical care, where they worship and who they visit.

Joe Cardillo, communications and research leader for the advocacy group ProgressNow New Mexico, said license plate readers have helped law enforcement solve crimes but he questioned whether local police should use a private company as an outside vendor.

"Yes, it's convenient. Yes, it's helpful. But maybe these local jurisdictions should be in charge of their own cameras and in charge of their own data hosting and security and protection," Cardillo asserted. "I think that's also one of the questions that comes up."

Several New Mexico cities are among those using a camera system made by Flock Safety for license plate recognition. When explaining the systems, many government officials tell constituents the cameras will not be used for traffic enforcement. But a recent report by 404 Media showed the Georgia State Patrol used the automated license plate reader late last year to issue a citation to a motorcyclist who was allegedly looking at his cellphone while driving.

The new law forbids local and federal agencies from using license plate reader camera data for immigration enforcement or to find people who are accessing gender-affirming health or abortion care. The medical procedures, legal in New Mexico, are mostly outlawed in Texas. Cardillo added local police have acknowledged they have received inquiries from Texas about people seeking such care.

"So, not a theoretical harm," Cardillo emphasized. "That's pretty concerning, obviously, people's personal health care needs and choices being used against them based on their activities, going to a health clinic or something like that."

Cardillo believes automatic license plate readers can be a useful crime-fighting tool, unless companies and jurisdictions operate without guardrails.

"They offer free trials of their cameras and their software," Cardillo pointed out. "So they're (saying), 'Try this, free trial for 30 days or six months and if you like it, you can keep it, but also, we will get access to your jurisdiction and be able to see what's happening there.'"

Source: Public News Service