FBI seeks US-wide access to license plate cameras, wants "data in near real time"
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/05/fbi-seeks-us-wide-access-to-license-plate-cameras-wants-data-in-near-real-time/Open linkView original on sopuli.xyzSyndicated from the fediverse. Read and engage on the original instance.
View original on sopuli.xyzhttps://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/05/fbi-seeks-us-wide-access-to-license-plate-cameras-wants-data-in-near-real-time/Open linkView original on sopuli.xyz
11 replies
I hope so
Is anyone surprised?
I am, as I assumed they already had RT access
I didn't assume real time. That's actually a really demanding technical ask. Have you ever tried to get a video call to work? Do you understand how much bandwidth that is?
Yeah, someone at the FBI doesn't know how the real world works (MildShock.gif) and watched too many movies and crime shows where they "track the bad guy" in real time.
Depends how it's processed. If the OCR is done locally that's a tiny amount to send.
Do you really think the main thing these are used for is license plates?
Everyday an hour and a half video chat via WhatsApp. USA to Latin America
FBI is deciding between Flock and Motorola
Motorola are in this?
Yes, they’re a main creator of ALPR’s.
You can find them unsecured online sometimes and watch their feed: https://youtu.be/BQTy9XVeSaE
Wait.. maybe I’m remembering this wrong. But didn’t they first invent traffic cameras in Texas and then deem them unconstitutional?
Idk I think this was decades ago