Missouri lays out rules for license plate readers amid privacy concerns
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Missouri is putting new statewide safeguards on automated license plate readers as scrutiny grows over systems such as Flock Safety and how law enforcement agencies use the data they collect.
The Missouri Department of Public Safety issued guidance this week following an executive order signed Sept. 16 by Gov. Mike Kehoe. The rules apply to state agencies and, to the extent allowed by law, local law enforcement agencies receiving state funding that use automated license plate readers.
The guidance calls for searches to have a legitimate law enforcement purpose, independent verification of camera alerts before enforcement action, regular audits, and accountability for individual users.
Most plate-reader data would be retained for no more than 30 days, and facial recognition technology could not be integrated into the systems.
Kehoe said permanent legislation is still needed. His order directs state public safety officials to work with police, sheriffs, prosecutors and other groups on a proposal for lawmakers that would include stronger auditing and penalties for misuse.
State officials have also pointed to cases in which license plate readers helped investigators find abducted children, homicide suspects and a truck driver accused in a fatal Interstate 44 hit-and-run.
At the federal level, U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley has been investigating Flock and other surveillance technology companies. He announced this week that he plans to introduce the Stop Flock Abuse Act, which would establish federal restrictions on how the systems are searched and how long information can be kept.
Southwest Missouri Rep. Eric Burlison has joined Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie on separate legislation that would prohibit federal funding from being used to buy or operate automated license plate readers and biometric surveillance cameras.
For now, Missouri's new DPS standards serve as statewide guardrails while officials work toward permanent legislation governing how the cameras can be used.
