ACLU reports privacy concerns over automated license plate readers across Iowa
The ACLU of Iowa and University of Iowa Technology Law Clinic released a report documenting over 500 automated license plate readers deployed across Iowa by law enforcement agencies. The researchers found inconsistent privacy policies and governance across jurisdictions, with concerns that the devices capture data on all drivers without legal suspicion, creating privacy vulnerabilities.
What happened
The ACLU of Iowa and University of Iowa Technology Law Clinic released a report on December 10, 2025, examining automated license plate readers (ALPRs) deployed across Iowa. The researchers contacted 48 law enforcement agencies to gather information about ALPR use, policies, and contracts.
The report found more than 500 ALPR devices in use across Iowa, with a majority provided by Flock Safety and others by Axon and Motorola. Communities and counties reported spending at least $212,000 per month on the devices. However, responses from agencies varied, with some refusing to disclose how many cameras they operate or their locations.
Reported impact
Civil rights advocates argued that ALPRs violate drivers' privacy rights by capturing and reading license plates on all passing vehicles regardless of whether they have violated any laws. The devices record date, time, and location alongside license plate numbers, creating snapshots of where individuals are at given times.
The ACLU of Iowa found that policies governing ALPR data retention, access, search procedures, and public transparency varied significantly from city to city, town to town, and county to county across Iowa. This patchwork of regulations means Iowans' privacy protections depend on their location.
Index analysis
The report revealed that contract arrangements between communities and ALPR vendors created a fragmented network where personal travel data is tracked and stored by private vendors in nationally shared databases, with unclear governance over who can access the information or how it may be used.
Governance controls
The ACLU of Iowa recommended that municipalities, counties, and other community governing groups exit their ALPR contracts if possible and resist companies attempting to gather data on residents' travel habits. The organization called for stronger statewide regulations to protect privacy.
Some law enforcement agencies disputed the privacy concerns, stating that the devices help with legitimate law enforcement objectives.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.