Government surveillance using license plate readers has received increased attention in the United States, particularly in Southern California over the past year. The issue became public in 2024 after an investigation found that federal agencies placed hidden cameras along roads in San Diego and Imperial counties near the border with Mexico. The cameras were concealed inside traffic equipment such as construction barrels, making them difficult to detect. Privacy groups and advocacy organizations raised concerns because the system collected data from millions of drivers without clear public notice. The data was linked to a predictive intelligence program operated by U.S. Border Patrol to analyze travel patterns and identify vehicles considered suspicious.

The system records license plate numbers, locations, and travel times, then processes the information using computer algorithms. Court documents show that vehicles may be flagged based on travel routes, speed, or time spent near border areas. Federal agencies can share this information with local police, which may lead to traffic stops for minor violations. Supporters of the technology say it helps improve enforcement and national security. Critics argue that the system lacks transparency and may affect ordinary drivers. Legal experts have called for stronger oversight, clear rules, and limits to ensure that surveillance tools are used proportionally and within legal boundaries.