Megan Graham
@megankgraham.bsky.social
Asso. Clinical Prof. + Director of the Technology Law Clinic
at University of Iowa College of Law. Expect tech + public defense, general enthusiasm. Views are (likely) mine. she/her
at University of Iowa College of Law. Expect tech + public defense, general enthusiasm. Views are (likely) mine. she/her
It wouldn't have been possible without the students' tireless and hard work. I'm so proud of them and grateful for all they did this semester!
December 10, 2025 at 5:57 PM
It wouldn't have been possible without the students' tireless and hard work. I'm so proud of them and grateful for all they did this semester!
Automated license plate readers present a host of concerns about pervasive surveillance and drivers' privacy rights. But the issues are also complicated. We hope this report helps break things down so Iowans can better understand what is happening in their communities.
December 10, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Automated license plate readers present a host of concerns about pervasive surveillance and drivers' privacy rights. But the issues are also complicated. We hope this report helps break things down so Iowans can better understand what is happening in their communities.
In the search logs we could locate, law enforcement justified searches by writing things like "sus," "suspicious activity," "terrorism," "snitch," "unwanted person," "Romanian scammers," and "Operation Homeless Intel," among others.
December 10, 2025 at 5:57 PM
In the search logs we could locate, law enforcement justified searches by writing things like "sus," "suspicious activity," "terrorism," "snitch," "unwanted person," "Romanian scammers," and "Operation Homeless Intel," among others.
Between Nov. 7 and Dec. 8, those 19 jurisdictions alone have detected/taken pictures of more than 4.2 million vehicles.
December 10, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Between Nov. 7 and Dec. 8, those 19 jurisdictions alone have detected/taken pictures of more than 4.2 million vehicles.
In our research, we identified 19 public transparency portals from agencies in Iowa that have Flock cameras. Over the last month, those 19 agencies have shared their ALPR data with 62 agencies in Iowa alone. They've shared their data with dozens of agencies outside the state too.
December 10, 2025 at 5:57 PM
In our research, we identified 19 public transparency portals from agencies in Iowa that have Flock cameras. Over the last month, those 19 agencies have shared their ALPR data with 62 agencies in Iowa alone. They've shared their data with dozens of agencies outside the state too.
Of the agencies that responded to our request, Cedar Rapids has the largest number of ALPR cameras with 76. West Des Moines has 64 cameras. Clinton County has 58.
December 10, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Of the agencies that responded to our request, Cedar Rapids has the largest number of ALPR cameras with 76. West Des Moines has 64 cameras. Clinton County has 58.
Flock Safety is the largest vendor of ALPRs (at least to government agencies) in the state. They sell ALPRs to 27 of the agencies we surveyed. Axon has contracted with 7 of the agencies and Motorola with another 4.
December 10, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Flock Safety is the largest vendor of ALPRs (at least to government agencies) in the state. They sell ALPRs to 27 of the agencies we surveyed. Axon has contracted with 7 of the agencies and Motorola with another 4.
Most of the agencies we sent requests to shared information with us, though a small group did not. And we learned a ton from what was disclosed.
December 10, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Most of the agencies we sent requests to shared information with us, though a small group did not. And we learned a ton from what was disclosed.
The students requested records about automated license plate readers from 48 agencies across Iowa. Cities, towns, counties, rural areas. They wanted to get a better sense of what is happening on the ground across the state.
December 10, 2025 at 5:57 PM
The students requested records about automated license plate readers from 48 agencies across Iowa. Cities, towns, counties, rural areas. They wanted to get a better sense of what is happening on the ground across the state.
@chrisgeidner.bsky.social pulled the key parts of the opinion from earlier this week out.
This is almost unreal incompetence.
Here's how this area of inquiry was discussed in Monday's opinion.
In short, this is the afterthought, the ~it couldn't be this, could it?~ moment in the opinion: "If this procedure did not take place, then the Court is in uncharted legal territory ..."
Here's how this area of inquiry was discussed in Monday's opinion.
In short, this is the afterthought, the ~it couldn't be this, could it?~ moment in the opinion: "If this procedure did not take place, then the Court is in uncharted legal territory ..."
November 19, 2025 at 4:56 PM
@chrisgeidner.bsky.social pulled the key parts of the opinion from earlier this week out.
Thanks! There are a bunch of resources out there, but a few articles/sites that may help you get started: www.404media.co/the-open-sou...; deflock.me; www.nacdl.org/getattachmen...; www.nacdl.org/Media/ALPRs-4A
The Open Source Project DeFlock Is Mapping License Plate Surveillance Cameras All Over the World
DeFlock has mapped the locations of more than a thousand ALPRs around the United States and thousands more around the world.
www.404media.co
July 16, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Thanks! There are a bunch of resources out there, but a few articles/sites that may help you get started: www.404media.co/the-open-sou...; deflock.me; www.nacdl.org/getattachmen...; www.nacdl.org/Media/ALPRs-4A