We’re Asking the Wisconsin Supreme Court to End Warrantless ALPR Searches
The EFF and ACLU of Wisconsin have petitioned the state Supreme Court to require law enforcement to obtain a warrant before searching automated license plate reader databases. The case involves ALPR systems operating in Milwaukee, Racine, Kenosha, and Green Bay, and is brought on behalf of a religious organization and an individual pastor.
Why this matters: License plate readers do not just catch stolen cars. They build a map of where you go, how often, and when. Doctors' offices, recovery meetings, places of worship — all logged without any suspicion. That data sits in a database, searchable by police whenever they want, with no judge in the middle. The fact that a church is the plaintiff is not an accident. If your movements while seeking medical care or attending a religious service are fair game, the idea of a private life in public starts to fall apart.
Who should care: Lawyers · Privacy officers · Compliance · Cybersecurity
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