New Orleans, LA Privacy & Surveillance: License Plate Readers (2026)

Sec. 147-1 defines "surveillance technology" broadly and expressly lists "automatic license plate readers" as an included example alongside cell site simulators, gunshot detection hardware and biometric systems. Unlike face surveillance systems, cell-site simulators, characteristic tracking systems and predictive policing technology, ALPR is not on Sec. 147-2's prohibited list, so the city may deploy it, but every surveillance technology the city holds is still bound by Sec. 147-3's data-protection framework. Sec. 147-3(a) bars the city from inquiring about or collecting data on a person's immigration status, including place of birth, except during an active federal criminal investigation or when needed to relay a complaint, determine eligibility for city employment or a public benefit, or connect someone to supportive services.

Sec. 147-3(c) requires any department using or authorizing third-party use of a surveillance technology to designate a data protection officer responsible for chapter compliance, and Sec. 147-3(e) limits collection to the minimum personal information needed for a narrow, well-defined purpose. Sec. 147-4(a) separately requires public notice and a comment period before the city may contract to receive privately generated surveillance data, or provide city-generated surveillance data to, a non-governmental entity in exchange for any monetary or in-kind consideration: a provision that would apply to any outside data-sharing arrangement involving ALPR feeds.