“No Cost” License Plate Readers Are Turning Texas Police into Debt Collectors
I can't say I'm surprised that this is happening. As technology progresses, it only makes sense that government becomes more efficient at doing things that we like and don't like. As soon as red-light cameras became OK, or any license plate reading systems, this eventuality was on the table.I'm only saddened by the fact that they've been essentially duped by some private sector company into selling private citizens' data (and allowing them to retain it even after expiration of the contract) instead of trying to develop this technology themselves, and actually innovating. This move reduces citizen privacy, and costs citizens privacy all at the same time.The next thing I look to see happen is automated speeding tickets. There's no reason radars shouldn't be set up in conjuction with license plate readers, or actually just pulling speed data from cars with in-car transmission ability and tickets being auto-generated to constituents.Imagine trying to argue against why your car shouldn't be monitored for speeding infringements -- surely you're either a speeder trying to kill kids and families, or you're a getaway driver trying to commit crimes. Then the law goes into place (of course, save the kids), then people realize some car companies transmit location info by accident/on purpose, and people can now pretty much watch you drive places.