Oakland, CA Privacy & Surveillance: License Plate Readers (2026)

010 defines "Surveillance Technology" broadly to include, by name, "automatic license plate readers" along with cell site simulators, gunshot detectors and facial recognition software, any tool that collects, retains, analyzes or shares information tied to an individual. 020 requires notifying the Chair of the Privacy Advisory Commission (PAC), which reviews a surveillance impact report and surveillance use policy at a noticed public meeting and can recommend the City Council adopt, modify or reject the policy. 030 then requires City Council approval, at a Sunshine Ordinance-noticed public meeting, before the City can accept state or federal funds for ALPR, acquire or replace ALPR hardware, use it for a new purpose or location, or enter a data-sharing agreement with an outside entity such as a regional fusion center or another agency.

Council may approve only after finding community benefits outweigh the costs, that civil liberties are safeguarded, and that no less-costly or less-invasive alternative would work as well. 035 allows temporary, unapproved use only during genuine exigent circumstances or a large-scale event of 10,000-plus attendees, and any such use must be reported to the PAC with equipment returned within seven days. 040 then requires an annual written surveillance report to the PAC, due by April 30th each year, covering how ALPR was used, what data was shared with outside entities, and any data breaches, before the report goes to the City Council for its own annual cost-benefit reassessment.