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Residents raise privacy concerns over automated license‑plate readers; council asks staff to follow up
Summary
A resident’s public comment prompted questions from council about the city’s contract, use and data‑sharing practices for automated license‑plate readers (ALPRs) installed around Boulder under a private vendor contract. City staff said they would follow up with detailed information and record checks.
At the Jan. 16 Boulder City Council meeting a resident raised concerns about automated license‑plate readers (ALPRs) installed around the city and the contract Boulder has with the vendor Flock Safety.
Will Freeman, identifying himself as a local software engineer and privacy advocate, said cameras with solar panels installed around town “are automated license plate readers that record every vehicle that passes by.” He told the council he documented more than 40 camera installations in Boulder and alleged that the vendor shares the data broadly. Freeman said the city had refused a public‑records request for camera locations and agency sharing lists, described instances in other jurisdictions where ALPR data were used for cross‑jurisdictional requests, and asked the council to reconsider renewing Boulder’s contract with the vendor.
Council members asked staff several follow‑up questions: whether the city’s system shares data outside Boulder, whether any out‑of‑state subpoena or request had been complied with, where the data are stored and for how long, and whether the contract was subject to the city’s competitive‑procurement rules.
City staff said they would follow up. At least 1 council member asked specifically whether a Texas legal request had sought access to the city’s ALPR system and whether the city complied; staff committed to researching those points and returning with answers.
Council members did not take immediate action or vote on the matter; instead they asked city staff to gather records and return with a written response clarifying: where ALPR data are stored; with which agencies the city shares data; the record of any legal requests; retention and access controls; and the procurement status of the vendor contract.
Freeman provided the council with a website documenting camera locations and said he could answer technical questions via follow‑up materials. Staff and council members requested that any further exchange happen in writing so staff could compile and verify contract and data‑access records before reporting back to council and the public.
