The UK police are coming to the end of their second phase trials on Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) and preparing to roll out the technology nationwide next summer. ANPR tracks cars using the omnipresent CCTV systems and specialised fixed and mobile cameras. It can use government databases to detect untaxed, unroadworthy and uninsured vehicles. It also means that over time a record of the majority of car journeys around the country will be built up.
Privacy advocates have warned that 'function creep' will mean that these records become used for many purposes unrelated to their initial justification. They could allow the government to bring forward plans to introduce congestion charging across the country, charging drivers for all journeys according to the level of traffic on the road. They could be used to enforce speed restrictions across long distances. And they will certainly be used in all sorts of police investigations and even civil cases such as divorce.
Number plate recognition poised for national UK rollout (21.09.2003)
http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/6/32939.html
(Contribution by Ian Brown, FIPR)