May 14, 2024 | By Henry Pearson | Globe Echo |
American police are testing a new technology developed by Leonardo, an Italian surveillance and defense company, that can scan moving vehicles for signals emitted by devices such as phones, smartwatches, pet chips, library books, and more. The technology, called Elsag EOC Plus, can identify specific models of devices and create a unique “fingerprint” linked to a car’s license plate number. This data can be used to track individuals as they move through areas with license plate scanners, raising concerns about potential privacy violations.
According to Leonardo, the new technology can be useful not only for police departments on public roads but also in off-road areas such as rail stations and shopping centers. The company claims to have over 4,000 customers for its Elsag license plate readers in the U.S. and is actively trying to sell the new product worldwide. However, some experts, such as Matthew Guariglia from the Electronic Frontier Foundation, question the necessity and potential misuse of the technology, especially in terms of tracking and seizing electronic devices from individuals without proper authorization.
Leonardo spokesperson Nate Maloney assured that the company would work with police agencies to ensure legal compliance and prevent excessive data collection. He stated that the tool would not collect content from people’s devices but only the signals in the air, similar to Stingrays, a controversial surveillance tool that mimics cell towers to collect phone information. Some U.S. law enforcement agencies have already trialed similar technology from other companies, raising concerns about privacy and the potential for abuse.
Maloney mentioned that the Leonardo technology recently obtained a patent and is currently being trialed by at least one American police department in a test environment. However, he did not disclose which department was involved, emphasizing that the technology was not yet being used to surveil the public. Concerns have been raised by privacy advocates, journalists, and activists about the implications of widespread deployment of such surveillance tools, especially in sensitive areas like protests or demonstrations.
While the technology offers potential benefits for law enforcement, such as tracking suspects and monitoring criminal activity, critics argue that it could easily be abused to infringe on individuals’ privacy and civil liberties. The collection of data about electronic devices without consent or proper authorization raises serious concerns about government overreach and potential violations of constitutional rights. As the debate over privacy and surveillance technologies continues, it remains to be seen how law enforcement agencies will navigate the ethical and legal implications of using such advanced surveillance tools.
As the use of advanced surveillance technologies becomes more widespread in law enforcement, concerns about privacy and civil liberties continue to grow. With new tools like the Elsag EOC Plus technology from Leonardo being tested by American police departments, the debate over the balance between public safety and individual rights intensifies. Moving forward, it will be crucial for policymakers, law enforcement agencies, and civil society to engage in meaningful discussions about the regulation and oversight of surveillance technologies to protect citizens’ privacy and uphold democratic principles.
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