Amid increased community concerns around data privacy and the loss of civil liberties, the Austin City Council announced on June 3 that it would end the Austin Police Department’s automated license plate reader program by the end of the month.
A city audit found that despite increased “safeguards” implemented in 2023, automated license plate reader cameras, which compare scanned license plate data against criminal databases, could share information with outside agencies, including immigration enforcement.
APD deployed nearly 500 ALPR cameras by April 2025, including 40 fixed cameras around the city, according to the audit. In March, the department approved a contract with Axon Enterprise for more than 200 ALPR cameras mounted to the backs of APD vehicles. ALPR data resulted in 165 arrests, 133 prosecutions and one missing person found, according to the audit…