August 31, 2017

The California Supreme Court ruled today that raw data from automated license plate readers — those high-speed cameras placed at intersections to automatically scan and catalog license plate images — do not need to be disclosed in response to a Public Records Act request.

Though the Court declined to go so far as to find the records categorically exempt as a law enforcement investigatory record, the Court did find that the public’s privacy interest in not releasing the raw data outweighed the interest in disclosure. The Court sent the case back down to the Court of Appeal to determine whether the data could be redacted in such a way that would allow its release while still protecting individual privacy.

CSAC filed an amicus brief in support of Los Angeles County in the case. Full Opinion