Privacy

A bill now before the state Senate would set limitations on sharing information gathered by automatic license plate readers. If passed, state agencies would have to submit usage requests in writing.

Chief Privacy Officer Martha Wewer reviewed the state’s approach to data protection, AI oversight and consumer privacy on Thursday as Gov. Josh Stein marked a new day of awareness during Data Privacy Week.

There was a record set for data breaches in 2025, and the incidents were also paired with fewer details in notification letters, raising concerns about transparency and public understanding.

Local law enforcement praises the devices, hundreds of which are in place, for helping solve crimes. Privacy and surveillance concerns, however, persist among critics and industry watchers.

A donation of more than $400,000 enabled the county police department to add two new drones to its fleet of seven. Among residents, however, concerns over being surveilled persist.

Minnesota’s case is one of several breaches of late involving legitimate access, a recurring issue in provider-heavy government health and human services systems.

A policy advocate from the American Civil Liberties Union warned FETC attendees last week that fear-based marketing and limited empirical evidence are driving district adoption of student surveillance tools.

San Jose is the latest city whose use of the cameras to snag criminal suspects, critics say, also threatens privacy and potentially runs afoul of laws barring access by out-of-state and federal agencies.

Thurston County, Wash., commissioners are currently considering regulating the county’s acquisition and use of artificial intelligence-enabled surveillance technology with a new draft ordinance.

County commissioners will consider spending more than $3.2 million over 10 years to replace body-worn and in-car sheriff’s office cameras. Software, data storage and accessories would be included.

The county executive said he has directed staff to “begin the process to pass a local law” barring collection of such data. If passed, the county would likely be in the vanguard on biometric data oversight.

Connecticut state lawmakers are moving to ban facial recognition technology in retail stores throughout the state, citing a CT Insider report on the practice.

Officials from the state Department of Accounting and General Services warned residents that bad actors are “creating deceptive web addresses” to trick them into releasing personal information.

More than 200 Wisconsin law enforcement agencies use license plate reading technology. The state’s capital city, however, has so far not installed such cameras even as its neighbors have done so.

A group of citizens has enlisted the ACLU to look into a visitor and student management system at Andover Public Schools Americans that uses facial recognition to screen and verify guests and volunteers instantly.

The City Council has approved a three-year, $200,000 contract to install the surveillance devices. Data collected may be used by other state and local law enforcement at city discretion, the police chief said.

After roughly 90 minutes of public comment, nearly all in opposition, the Flagstaff City Council voted to end its contract for automated license plate readers. The devices came into use last year.

The city’s police chief reviewed its contract with the vendor providing the cameras and will brief the Common Council, as officials contemplate placing more devices. The city, not the vendor, owns the data collected.