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Help 404 Media Find Out How Your Local Police Are Surveiling You
TL;DR
404 Media is investigating the use of Axon's automatic license plate reader (ALPR) cameras by local police, following concerns over data sharing with agencies like ICE. They are seeking community assistance to uncover how these cameras are being utilized across the country.
✦ Why It Matters
Check if your local police are using Axon ALPR cameras and demand transparency on their usage.
Key Takeaways
- Investigate local police use of Axon ALPR cameras.
- File public records requests for transparency on surveillance.
- Engage with community efforts to uncover police data practices.
- Stay informed about privacy implications of surveillance technology.
Full Summary
Cities are replacing Flock's automatic license plate reader (ALPR) cameras with those from Axon, a major law enforcement contractor, partly due to scrutiny from 404 Media. This scrutiny arose after reports revealed police used Flock's data for controversial purposes, including searches related to immigration enforcement and abortion.
404 Media is now seeking to understand how Axon's ALPRs are being utilized and what data is being shared with other agencies. They have filed requests for detailed activity reports from various police departments, which document officer searches, badge numbers, and reasons for accessing the data.
So far, they have received reports from several police departments across the U.S. Community involvement is crucial, as residents are encouraged to file their own public records requests to gather more information about local surveillance practices.