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S.T.O.P. Condemns N.Y License Plate Redesign As Part Of Expanded Warrantless Tracking



[NEW YORK, NY, 8/21/2019] -- Today, the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (S.T.O.P.), a New York-based privacy group, condemned New York State’s proposed license plate redesign as part of an effort to expand warrantless vehicle tracking. Governor Cuomo recently defended the updated license plate design, noting it would be “easier to track with license plate reader technology used on the state’s tollways, bridges and the congestion pricing program that’s coming to Manhattan in 2021.”



SEE: Republican leaders bemoan Cuomo’s license plate redesign as money grab, say he’s rigging the vote in favor of bridge named after dad

https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/ny-license-plate-redesign-cuomo-bridge-pushback-20190820-uotfwgypu5g7hj53nasgl2ynwq-story.html



“Not only will the new license plate readers expand warrantless tracking, it will make New Yorkers’ pay for our own surveillance,” said Surveillance Technology Oversight Project Executive Director Albert Fox Cahn. “New York State should be rolling-back our use of unconstitutional vehicle tracking, not expanding it. Automated license plate readers shouldn’t be used without additional privacy protections. We must know that this information will not be used as a digital dragnet or be provided to ICE.”



Automated license plate readers have been widely condemned by civil liberties groups for collecting and storing information without any due process. In several cases, license plate reader errors have led police to stop or even arrest innocent drivers.



SEE: New license plate scanning program incorrectly fining some drivers

https://kfor.com/2019/01/02/new-license-plate-scanning-program-incorrectly-fining-some-drivers/

Deputies Sued After False ALPR Hit Leads To Guns-Out Traffic Stop Of California Privacy Activist

https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20190217/08240241618/deputies-sued-after-false-alpr-hit-leads-to-guns-out-traffic-stop-california-privacy-activist.shtml



The Surveillance Technology Oversight Project is a non-profit advocacy organization and legal services provider hosted by the Urban Justice Center. S.T.O.P. litigates and advocates for privacy, fighting excessive local and state-level surveillance. Our work highlights the discriminatory impact of surveillance on Muslim Americans, immigrants, and communities of color.



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CONTACT: STOP Executive Director Albert Fox Cahn;



