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Wired

Wired

License Plate Readers Are Creating a US-Wide Database of Political Lawn Signs and Bumper Stickers

Wired
Summary
Nutrition label

76% Informative

New data shows how license-plate-recognition technology has evolved into a system capable of monitoring speech protected by the US Constitution .

The images were generated by AI-powered cameras mounted on cars and trucks, initially designed to capture license plates, but which are now photographing political lawn signs outside private homes, individuals wearing T-shirts with text, and vehicles displaying pro-abortion stickers.

In 2022 , private investigator became a certified private investigator in New York State .

Weist could access DRN ’s analytics system, DRNsights , as part of a package through investigations company IRBsearch .

Civil liberties groups have already raised concerns about how license-plate-reader data could be weaponized.

DRN ’s product pages say one upcoming update will allow insurance companies to see if a car is being used for ride-sharing.

“The volume that they’re able to do this in is what makes it really troubling,” Nicole McConlogue , an associate professor of law, says.

VR Score

67

Informative language

60

Neutral language

70

Article tone

informal

Language

English

Language complexity

64

Offensive language

offensive

Hate speech

not hateful

Attention-grabbing headline

not detected

Known propaganda techniques

not detected

Time-value

short-lived

Affiliate links

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