Washington Governor Signs Laws on License Plate Readers

0:00Washington Governor Bob Ferguson just signed the state's first rules on automated license play readers. The new law stops federal agents and out-of-state agencies from tapping into data from public cameras. It also bans these cameras near sensitive spots, like health clinics, courts, and immigration offices. By partisan backing got it across the finish line. Ferguson called it a smart balance for cops tackling safety issues while shielding folks from federal immigration overreach. He signed it right after another bill, forcing employers to warn workers about incoming ice raids. This comes amid rising tensions over mass surveillance tech. Privacy advocates from groups like the ACOU say it doesn't cut it. They worry about data hanging around for 21 days, way longer than the original 72-hour pitch. Cops can now search by car color or model, even for lesser crimes like DUIs, opening doors to more stops. A University of Washington report exposed federal agencies secretly querying local databases

1:0018 times. That's why cities like Everett, Olympia, and Linwood paused or ditched their cameras last year. Lawmakers watered down the bill with compromises to keep law enforcement on board. The rules now demand audits, compliance from companies, and let people sue violators. It's a starting point, but advocates push for tighter controls as surveillance debates heat-ups stay wide. That's the story for today. Canada News Today, Driven by AI