EFF files amicus brief urging Sixth Circuit to require warrant for ALPR searches

What happened

The Electronic Frontier Foundation and the ACLU submitted an amicus brief to the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals in United States v. Sturdivant, arguing that searches of Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) data constitute a Fourth Amendment search. The brief contends that warrantless ALPR use is a form of indiscriminate mass surveillance that should require a warrant.

Why it matters for trust and compliance

• Its status is filed. The case is still open; the outcome may change what it means.
• The filing seeks to extend Fourth Amendment protections to digital tracking via ALPRs, potentially reshaping law‑enforcement surveillance practices.

Who is affected

Recommended actions

1. Review consent, cookie and tracking practices against the requirement.
2. Check that privacy notices describe the practices this addresses.
3. Map the security requirements to existing controls and close gaps.