Proposed Privacy Bill Would Limit Data Sharing From Plate Readers, Flock Cameras
Proposed Privacy Bill Would Limit Data Sharing From Plate Readers, Flock Cameras
Publish Date: 2026-03-02 15:15:00
Source Domain: ctnewsjunkie.com
A Flock Safety camera is seen mounted on a pole along Route 69 on the town line between Bethany and Prospect. Credit: Viktoria Sundqvist / CT Newsjunkie
HARTFORD, CT — The General Law Committee is considering a privacy bill that would restrict how Connecticut state and law enforcement agencies use automated license plate readers, including Flock cameras.
Tucked into Senate Bill No. 4, An Act Concerning Consumer Privacy, is a section stating that agencies shall not enter into or renew any contracts with any ALPR companies unless they can guarantee that the information collected will not be used in matters inconsistent with state law, such as sharing with federal agencies in violation of Connecticut’s Trust Act.
The automated cameras – found in dozens of municipalities across the state – are small black devices placed on poles with solar panels on top that take photos of the rear license plate of each passing vehicle. The photos are stored for 30 days. Many police departments also have portable license plate readers in their vehicles.
Unless there’s a warrant or exigent circumstances, data from the cameras should not be shared outside Connecticut, the bill proposes. In particular, it says the data should not be used for immigration enforcement activities or investigating reproductive health services, which are legal in Connecticut.
It is unclear exactlyhow many license plate readers are in use in Connecticut since no central agency is regulating or tracking them, but one of the most well-known companies that makes them –Flock Safety systems – reports on its website that more than 5,000 law enforcement agencies across the country use them.
One Connecticut municipality – Windsor – recently voted to adopt a privacy policy to restrict the use of the cameras, then a month later voted to shut the cameras off until a new contract can be negotiated with Flock Systems.
The American Civil Liberties…
