California AG Rob Bonta Sues El Cajon for Illegally Sharing License Plate Data

Lawsuit Against El Cajon for ALPR Data Sharing

• ⚖️ California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced a lawsuit against the city of El Cajon and its police department for violating state law by sharing Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) data.
• 🔒 Senate Bill 34, passed in 2015, mandates that ALPR data collected in California cannot be shared with federal or out-of-state law enforcement agencies.
• 🚫 Despite repeated guidance and warnings from the Attorney General's office, El Cajon has refused to comply, continuing to share this sensitive data.

Risks of Unregulated Data Sharing

• 📍 ALPR systems capture license plates along with time, date, and location, revealing personal routines, places of work, and sensitive personal information.
• 🔓 Sharing this data with out-of-state or federal agencies means California loses control, risking misuse for purposes like immigration enforcement, surveillance, or tracking individuals seeking reproductive or gender-affirming care.
• ⚠️ The lawsuit aims to prevent such misuse, protect civil liberties, and maintain public trust in law enforcement.

El Cajon's Refusal to Comply

• 🗺️ El Cajon has shared ALPR data with agencies in at least 23 other states, including Florida, Texas, and Washington.
• 🗣️ The Attorney General's office engaged in multiple conversations with El Cajon officials, providing guidance and model policies, but the city remained "stubbornly refusing to comply."
• 🏢 Nearly all other agencies contacted by the AG's office have come into compliance, making El Cajon an "outlier" in its refusal.

Legal Action and Data Control

• 🏛️ The lawsuit seeks a court declaration that El Cajon's practices are unlawful and an order to stop the illegal data sharing.
• 🤝 The AG's office prefers collaboration but will use legal tools to enforce privacy laws when agencies deliberately disregard them.
• 🌐 The use of third-party data management services like Flock Safety was discussed, highlighting that cities can and should set controls to limit data sharing, especially outside of California.

Commitment to Privacy and Trust

• 🛡️ Attorney General Bonta emphasized that compliance is the minimum standard and that protecting public trust is paramount.
• 🚨 The action underscores the commitment to holding public agencies accountable and ensuring all Californians' privacy and constitutional rights are protected.
• 💔 Disappointment was expressed for the residents of El Cajon whose information is being improperly surveilled and shared, emphasizing they deserve better from their city leaders.