arstechnica.com 9 days ago URGENCY: 6/10
FBI Seeks Nationwide License Plate Camera Access
The FBI is planning to acquire nationwide access to license plate readers for real-time tracking. This controversial move raises significant privacy concerns across the U.S.

FBI's Ambitious License Plate Reader Plan
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has announced its intention to purchase access to a vast network of license plate readers (LPRs) across the United States. This initiative aims to enhance the agency's ability to evaluate and manage threats to public safety by providing near real-time data from cameras nationwide.
The FBI's Request for Proposals (RFP) outlines that the winning contractors must ensure coverage of at least 75% of locations and offer comprehensive search capabilities, including:
- Access to vehicle descriptions and geo-location data
- Notifications for search results
- Mapping capabilities to visualize camera coverage