Analysis: New Zealand Police Unable to Determine Total Number of License Plate Reading Cameras Throughout the Country
There are likely thousands of cameras tracking vehicles nationwide, with no oversight of their use despite past police abuses.
Analysis
New Zealand Police and the privacy commissioner have no knowledge of the number of automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras in operation.
Police utilize the Auror and Safer Cities networks, located in various public areas, to capture number plate information.
An investigation revealed instances where police falsely listed cars as stolen to trigger automatic detection, leading to internal inquiries.
Despite lacking information on the extent of camera use, police see them as vital in combating crime.
The Office of the Privacy Commissioner highlighted the need for organizations to responsibly manage camera data sharing.
Number plate recognition aids investigations by providing historical vehicle sightings and real-time alerts when a suspect vehicle passes a camera.
New guidelines emphasize the importance of governance in using surveillance systems to protect privacy and prevent misuse.
The network is set to expand, with plans for a significant increase in the number of cameras capable of reading number plates.
Critics raise concerns about the lack of oversight and potential privacy implications of combining data from multiple surveillance networks.
The expansion of the network without public debate or oversight raises questions about the extent of surveillance in the country.
