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Experts raise concerns over license plate readers

ROANOKE, Va – Concerns are rising over the use of automatic license plate readers -- and how police can use them to track drivers.

Flock safety has cameras in Martinsville, Lynchburg and Roanoke city.

Now -- there’s a bill moving through the general assembly that would rein in the use of this technology.

Legal experts say it’s a step in the right direction.

“Automatic license plate readers are a tool of mass surveillance, so they capture not only the license plate as the name suggests, but the make and model of the vehicle as well,” said Ruby Cherian, an attorney at Legal Aid Justice Center. “This can reveal personal information for instance if one is outside a doctor’s office or a church, it’s really easy to tell the comings and goings of people”

Local law enforcement say the information from the license plate cameras is only used for investigative purposes like homicides -- missing persons -- or stolen vehicles.

The data they collect is also deleted after 30 days -- which is in line with the proposed legislation.