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Privacy & Surveillance in Madison, WI (2026)

1 verified privacy & surveillance rules for Madison, Wisconsin, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.

Verified from official government sources

License Plate Readers

Madison names automatic license plate readers as regulated 'Surveillance Technology' under MGO § 23.63 and requires Common Council approval before any city department buys, funds or materially changes the use of an ALPR system. Departments must detail data retention, access controls and police data-sharing in a public resolution or budget request.

Madison ALPR & Surveillance Tech Approval

Some Restrictions

Madison General Ordinances § 23.63

"Surveillance Technology" means any hardware, software, electronic device, or system utilizing an electronic device, owned by the City or under contract with the City, designed, or primarily intended, to collect, retain, process, or share audio, electronic, visual, location, thermal, biometric, olfactory or other personally identifiable information of members of the public for the purpose of su...

Looking for Dane County county-wide rules?

County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Madison city rules.

Privacy & Surveillance in Dane County