Who’s Watching Washington: Dangers of Automated License Plate Readers to Immigrant and Reproductive Rights in Washington State

This report raises concerns of potential threats to immigrant rights and reproductive rights posed by the use of automated license plate recognition technology by law enforcement agencies in Washington state. The report surveys law enforcement agencies across Washington state on their use of automated license plate readers (ALPRs), including practices around data collection, retention, as well as sharing and selling of collected data. Findings show how ALPRs and related technology have been used as tools to target immigrants, undermining Washington state’s “sanctuary” laws; and suggest how ALPRs and other surveillance technologies could be used to prosecute people seeking reproductive health care in Washington state.