Ferguson signs Driver Privacy Act regulating license plate readers, personal data sharing
Ferguson signs Driver Privacy Act regulating license plate readers, personal data sharing
Publish Date: 2026-03-30 18:26:00
Source Domain: komonews.com
OLYMPIA, Wash. — Gov. Bob Ferguson has signed the Driver Privacy Act, Senate Bill 6002, into law, creating new statewide rules for automated license plate readers, cameras commonly referred to as “Flock Cameras,” that scan and store license plate data and can allow government agencies to track where people drive and when.
The ACLU of Washington said public agencies in the state have expanded their use of unregulated automated license plate readers for years by contracting with private companies such as Flock Safety and Axon, creating what it called an “extensive and exploitable surveillance network throughout the country.”
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Before the law’s passage, the ACLU said agencies, including law enforcement, held onto “everyone’s data for 30 days or more” and were not prohibited from sharing automated license plate reader data with out-of-state entities, including the federal government.
The new law places several limits on how agencies can use automated license plate readers. The ACLU said it prohibits agencies from collecting data around sensitive locations, including facilities offering protected health care or immigration-related services, places of worship, and schools.
It also prohibits agencies from using the technology for immigration investigations and enforcement, or to track people accessing protected health care services or engaging in constitutionally protected activities such as protesting.
The law also restricts data sharing, with limited exceptions, including if required by a court, according to the ACLU.
It requires law enforcement to obtain a warrant before obtaining automated license plate reader data from private entities and bans the buying and selling of that data. The ACLU said the law also requires regular auditing and transparency reporting, along with enforceable accountability measures.
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