Private Companies Now Track Your Car as Much as Police—With Even Less Oversight

How a Single ALPR Camera Near Walmart Exposes a Larger Surveillance Trend

A newly installed automated license plate reader (ALPR) camera outside a Walmart in Connecticut may seem like routine news, but it underscores a growing concern: private companies are now tracking vehicles as extensively as law enforcement—often with far less oversight.

While authorities promote ALPR systems as tools to locate missing persons, recover stolen vehicles, and identify wanted suspects, the broader issue lies in their widespread adoption by retailers and businesses. Companies like Lowe’s, Walmart, and Home Depot have deployed these systems in parking lots across multiple states, using technology nearly identical to what police departments rely on.

In some cases, law enforcement agencies have been granted direct access to this private-sector data. The critical difference? Transparency.

Private ALPR Systems Operate in a Regulatory Gray Area

Police departments typically operate under public policies that dictate how ALPR data is stored, shared, and accessed—even if enforcement varies by jurisdiction. Private companies, however, are rarely subject to the same public records requirements. This means consumers often have no insight into:

• How long their vehicle data is retained
• Who can search or access the information
• Whether the data is shared with third parties or government agencies

“I don’t think we really have a good sense in the public of how private companies that have the technology are using the data, how long they are retaining it, or how they are sharing it.” — Ken Barone, Manager of the University of Connecticut’s Racial Profiling Prohibition Project, CT Insider

Barone describes private ALPR data collection as “entirely a black box.” Without clear regulations, the public remains unaware of how their driving habits, locations, and personal details are being tracked, stored, or exploited.

ALPR Misuse in Law Enforcement Raises Red Flags for Private Systems

Concerns about ALPR misuse are not new. Investigations in recent years have revealed instances of questionable searches, unauthorized database access, and the exploitation of nationwide plate-reader networks for purposes critics argue exceed their original intent.

These issues take on added urgency when considering that private companies now deploy ALPR systems in everyday locations—shopping centers, apartment complexes, and grocery stores—areas once thought to be beyond the reach of mass surveillance. The expansion of this technology means your vehicle has likely been scanned multiple times without your knowledge.

Businesses Defend ALPR Use, But Oversight Lags Behind

Retailers argue that ALPR systems are essential for combating organized theft, recovering stolen vehicles, and enhancing customer safety. Police departments frequently credit the technology with accelerating crime-solving compared to traditional investigative methods.

Despite these benefits, the rapid proliferation of ALPR cameras has outpaced regulatory frameworks. Tools like Deflock.me and HaveIBeenFlocked.com offer limited transparency, allowing drivers to check if their license plate has been scanned. However, as the surveillance network grows, these resources may become insufficient to track the full extent of data collection.

For now, the question remains: Who is watching the watchers? With private companies driving the expansion of ALPR technology, the lack of public accountability poses significant privacy risks for drivers nationwide.