California Police Under Fire for AI Camera Use in ‘Immigration Protest’ Probe

A California police department is facing scrutiny after using an AI-powered license plate reader system to investigate an “immigration protest,” according to data obtained by 404 Media. The investigation also revealed that California law enforcement agencies are allegedly sharing data collected by Flock automatic license plate readers (ALPR) with out-of-state agencies, some of whom are reportedly using it to conduct searches on behalf of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Flock ALPR systems allow agencies to access data from a nationwide network of cameras. While this can be useful for solving crimes, it also means that agencies in states with stricter immigration policies can potentially access data from California, a state known for its sanctuary policies.

This data sharing practice raises serious questions about the legality of these actions and whether California agencies are undermining the state’s sanctuary status. Experts argue that sharing ALPR data with agencies that may use it for immigration enforcement purposes violates state law.

The revelations come at a time when immigration policies and enforcement are under intense national debate. Over the weekend, large-scale demonstrations took place across the U.S. The findings highlight the potential for surveillance technologies to be deployed at immigration-related events and raise concerns about potential misuse of data.

This discovery follows previous reports by 404 Media and Cal Matters that uncovered similar data sharing practices involving law enforcement agencies in Illinois and California.

The use of ALPR technology and the sharing of data across state lines have sparked a debate about privacy, data security, and the role of local law enforcement in federal immigration enforcement.