What’s done with ALPR data?
The high-speed cameras work by constantly photographing license plates. The images are then processed and stamped with the date, time, and location. Alerts are sent to the police officer immediately if the license plate is flagged for any reason. Then, the data is securely stored for future use or disposal.
Some police companies have decades of tracking information on file. Others carry the information for a shorter amount of time and destroy it if the plate was not tagged.
The controversy over the use and storage of the license plate data is simple. People do not like their privacy invaded. To some, their location is a private matter and should not be recorded by the government or any private company.
How are insurance companies using ALPR technology?
The tracing technology can also reduce crash fraud, as it can track the date and time of vehicle damage compared to reports. Tracking license plates can also help detect mileage overages for limited mileage insurance compliance, while also helping the customer receive lower rates by providing proof of accidents, mileage, and parking conditions.
Even though automatic license plate recording is still a controversial topic, there are considerable points to both sides of the argument.