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EFF Deeplinks · September 9, 2026

Cops Play Hide and Seek About Using Spy Tech to Avoid Scrutiny and Bad PR

Criminal JusticePublic PolicyLaw
THE AI ANGLE
Automating vehicle surveillance and facial recognition analysis

Law enforcement agencies are intentionally concealing their deployment of surveillance technologies like automated license plate readers (ALPRs) by instructing officers to omit them from police reports and evade public records requests. This systematic non-disclosure circumvents democratic oversight on public spending, undermines transparency mandates, and prevents defendants and judges from evaluating or challenging evidence obtained through surveillance tech.

THE TEACHING ANGLE
Instructors can explore the ethical and constitutional tensions surrounding police nondisclosure policies and parallel construction, specifically how concealing investigative tech infringes on criminal disclosure obligations and due process.

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