California sues El Cajon over sharing automated license plate reader data out of state
California's Attorney General sued El Cajon for sharing automated license plate reader data with law enforcement in approximately two dozen other states, allegedly violating a 2015 state law that restricts such sharing to California agencies only. The city disputes the allegation and contends its interpretation of the law permits out-of-state data sharing.
What happened
The California Attorney General filed suit in San Diego Superior Court on October 3, 2025 against the City of El Cajon, its police department, and Police Chief Jeremiah Larson for sharing automated license plate reader (ALPR) data with law enforcement agencies in roughly two dozen states.
California law Senate Bill 34, signed in 2015, restricts the sharing of ALPR data to other state or local agencies within California only. In fall 2023, the Attorney General's Office issued statewide guidance reiterating that sharing with out-of-state or federal law enforcement agencies is barred.
Reported impact
Privacy advocates warn that data collected by automated license plate readers can reveal where people go throughout their day, including where they shop, worship or seek medical care.
Immigration advocates fear that federal agencies could use the shared data to trace people.
Index analysis
El Cajon maintains it is following the law and argues its interpretation of the statute permits sharing ALPR data with other states to track individuals who travel between states for unlawful purposes.
Governance controls
The Attorney General's Office issued statewide guidance in fall 2023 clarifying that ALPR data may only be shared with other state or local agencies within California and that the Attorney General's guidance was not binding according to El Cajon's city manager.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.