Law enforcement agencies across Utah are expanding the use of automatic license plate reader systems, including Flock Safety cameras, as privacy concerns persist regarding how agencies manage and retain vehicle data. This expansion follows a 2025 investigation by Utah privacy officials that questioned whether agencies were adhering to state-mandated data purging schedules and lawful surveillance limits.
Regulatory Scrutiny Over Data
The expansion of these technologies comes despite previous regulatory warnings. In May 2025, Utah privacy officials investigated complaints that law enforcement agencies were using automatic license plate reader (ALPR) systems without establishing formal retention schedules as required by the Government Records Access and Management Act. While agencies involved in that inquiry stated they used a nine-month automatic deletion policy, officials noted that the agencies had not officially filed the required retention schedules for the electronic data they owned.
Legal Restrictions on Surveillance
The use of ALPR technology is strictly governed by Utah Code Section 41-6a-2003, which limits the application of these systems to specific circumstances. Under the law, law enforcement may use the data for active criminal investigations, to apprehend individuals with outstanding warrants, to locate missing or endangered persons, or to locate stolen vehicles. The law also permits use for verifying vehicle registration, insurance, or identity through the Utah Criminal Justice Information System.
Municipal Transparency Efforts
As of July 2026, several Utah municipalities have maintained active policies regarding the use of Flock Safety cameras to comply with state transparency requirements. The City of Draper maintains a dedicated police policy page detailing the use of automated license plate readers and includes specific documentation regarding Flock Safety cameras. Similarly, the Ogden City Police Department provides public access to its departmental policies and a transparency portal to address the use of these technologies.
Privacy and Compliance Risks
The complexity of ALPR usage is heightened by the legal distinction between authorized and unauthorized surveillance. State privacy guidelines emphasize that under the Government Data Privacy Act, governmental entities are prohibited from establishing or maintaining undisclosed or covert surveillance unless specifically permitted by law. This has led to recommendations for agencies to review their policies to ensure they do not use ALPRs for unauthorized purposes, such as general homeland security or electronic surveillance, unless they meet the strict criteria of the Automatic License Plate Reader System Act.
Future of Surveillance Oversight
As municipalities continue to integrate ALPR systems into their policing strategies, the tension between public safety tools and data privacy remains a central focus for regulators. Current state law requires that all such policies be posted and made publicly available on city, county, or state websites to ensure the management and auditing of these systems remains transparent to the public.
