Written by: Hannah Huston 

Megan Graham, associate clinical professor and director of the Technology Law Clinic at the University of Iowa College of Law, is receiving significant statewide and regional media coverage for her clinic’s work examining the use of automated license plate readers (ALPRs) by law enforcement across Iowa. Multiple news outlets have highlighted the findings of the new report, produced in partnership with the ACLU of Iowa, which raises concerns about privacy and civil liberties.

To investigate how ALPRs are being used in Iowa, the ACLU of Iowa and students in Graham’s Technology Law Clinic conducted independent research, surveying 48 Iowa communities and their use of the technology. 

“When we initially started to look at ALPR use in Iowa, we found there was scattered information. Very little had been collected into a single source with in-depth analysis,” said Graham. “The goal of the report is to take a systematic look at ALPR use in a wide array of Iowa communities to see what is happening on the ground in the state.”

According to the report, the clinic’s findings show that ALPR use across Iowa is becoming increasingly prevalent, but state laws have not progressed with technological advances. To uphold Iowans’ rights and prevent unreasonable government intrusion from ALPR use, timely, proactive statewide protections are needed. 

Check out some of the media coverage: