A major security flaw has exposed live video feeds and detailed vehicle records from automated license plate recognition (ALPR) cameras across the United States, raising serious privacy concerns about the widespread surveillance technology.
Security researcher Matt Brown discovered that over 150 Motorola ALPR cameras were broadcasting live footage and vehicle data openly on the internet, without any password protection or authentication required. The exposed information includes photos of cars, license plate numbers, and detailed logs of vehicle makes, models, and colors.
In a 20-minute sample from just 37 camera locations spanning multiple U.S. cities, nearly 4,000 vehicles were captured and logged. The cameras automatically photograph passing cars and use machine learning to extract license plate text and vehicle details.
The security breach appears to stem from improper network configuration during camera deployment. Motorola has confirmed the exposures and says it is working with customers to implement proper security measures. The company plans to release a firmware update with additional security features.
"By leaving these incredibly insecure tracking devices on the open internet, police have not only breached public trust but created a bounty of location data which can be abused by stalkers and other criminals," says Cooper Quintin, senior staff technologist at the Electronic Frontier Foundation.
The revelation highlights growing concerns about the expanding use of ALPR technology by law enforcement agencies across the country. These systems capture billions of photos annually, including details like bumper stickers and lawn signs, often without public debate about privacy implications or data retention policies.
Some regions have enacted strict regulations around ALPR use. New Hampshire, for example, requires all captured data to be purged within three minutes and prohibits transmission of the records.
The incident underscores the need for careful consideration of both security measures and privacy protections as surveillance technologies become increasingly prevalent in American cities.