A year ago, the US Department of Homeland Security tried to come up with a licence plate tracking system. But because privacy rights groups raised so much controversy over the program, plans were scrapped. Now, those plans are back.
The Department of Homeland Security is reaching back out to private companies. They want these companies to help US law enforcement build a license place tracking system. The DHS claims they can do this now because they’ve addressed last years’ concerns. In a statement Thursday, DHS insisted it won’t build a national database or contribute data into existing systems. They will seek bids from gathering data private companies. They will charge and determine how much access to give Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which is a DHS agency. But privacy rights advocates aren’t too crazy about this deal. A spokesperson for The Center of Democracy and Technology said, “If this goes forward, DHS will have warrantless access to location information going back at least five years about virtually every adult driver in the U.S…”. Spokespersons for law enforcement say such concerns are blown way out of proportion. We should also note the FBI already uses licence plate tracking.
If such concerns are blown out of proportion, then why did Homeland Security postpone this plan last year? They must have known something was wrong with this. And I’m not totally trusting of this new system either. Have you read about what happens to jails/prisons when private companies take over them? I have the same concern here. What if private companies get into the ear of certain law enforcement employees, leaders and agencies? Wouldn’t that compromise and cancel the integrity of the whole system? There’s an old saying that was popularized during the Watergate era: Follow the money. Should we follow the money if this new program comes becomes reality?