Kehoe orders safeguards for license plate reader data

Statewide safeguards ordered

Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe signed an executive order directing the Department of Public Safety to establish statewide safeguards for automated license plate readers used by state and local law enforcement agencies. The action is intended to protect residents’ location data while allowing police to use the systems for criminal investigations and emergencies.

The order calls for immediate disciplinary proceedings or a criminal referral when misuse occurs. It also requires a report to the Department of Public Safety director when an officer’s conduct could lead to license revocation or other discipline.

Kehoe cited concerns about Flock Safety cameras and the company’s data-sharing network, as well as cases in other states where officers allegedly used license plate reader systems to track or harass current or former romantic partners. His administration said such cases expose weaknesses in data protections and vendor transparency.

Voluntary standards and permanent rules

The order encourages law enforcement agencies to adopt several standards where existing contracts and law allow. Those measures include permanently deleting most license plate and vehicle data within 30 days and limiting use of the technology to legitimate criminal justice or lifesaving purposes.

Agencies are also encouraged to bar vendors from selling, sharing or commercializing data collected in Missouri. Other proposed safeguards include accountability systems to identify and penalize misuse and a prohibition on connecting artificial-intelligence facial recognition technology to license plate reader systems.

The executive order serves as an administrative step while the Missouri legislature and other participants develop a permanent framework in state law. The Department of Public Safety is responsible for creating the statewide safeguards that will apply to law enforcement use of the technology.