Missouri Sets New Restrictions on License Plate Reader Cameras

MISSOURI — Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe has signed an executive order establishing new privacy and usage restrictions for automated license plate reader technology, including Flock Safety cameras.

Executive Order 26-18, signed Sept. 16, directs the Missouri Department of Public Safety to establish statewide safeguards for state agencies and state-funded local law enforcement agencies that use automated license plate readers, commonly known as ALPRs.

The cameras automatically capture license plate and vehicle information as motorists travel on public roads. While the technology can be used to assist criminal investigations, locate stolen vehicles and help find missing or endangered people, concerns have grown over how the collected information is stored, accessed and shared.

Under the new standards, most license plate and vehicle data must be permanently deleted within 30 days.

The order also prohibits companies from selling, sharing or commercializing data collected in Missouri and limits use of the technology to legitimate criminal justice and lifesaving purposes.

Additional accountability measures are required to address misuse of the systems, and artificial intelligence facial recognition technology cannot be integrated with ALPR systems.

The restrictions are intended to remain in place while Missouri lawmakers work toward a permanent statutory framework governing the technology.

The executive order comes weeks after Missouri U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley launched an investigation into Flock Safety over its collection, retention and sharing of data generated by its camera network.

Hawley announced the investigation on Aug. 26 and later expanded it to other surveillance technology companies.