License Plate Readers Face Another Setback | Chico News

Chico News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Sep 5, 2026 · 1m

California lawmakers once again failed to pass critical privacy protections for automated license plate readers, marking the fifth defeat since 2022. While police tout the tech as vital for solving crimes and finding missing persons, advocates warn of abuse, misuse, and wrongful identifications — even cases where officers used data for stalking or tracking ex-partners. Despite passing the state senate, the bill stalled in the assembly with the session ending, echoing last year’s veto. Cities nationwide are cutting ties with Flock Safety amid mounting concerns. Law enforcement counters that…