Automated License Plate Recognition System
Usage and Privacy Policy
This policy governs the Automated License Plate Recognition System (“ALPR system” or “system”) operated by ParkHelp Technologies Inc. (referred to here as “we,” “our,” “the company” or “ParkHelp”) and applies to our employees, customers, and camera affiliates who have access to or use our system. Our ALPR system is a searchable computerized database resulting from the operation of one or more mobile or fixed cameras combined with computer algorithms to read and convert images of registration plates and the characters they contain into computer-readable data. The information contained in the system (“LPR data”) includes images of license plates, plus the date, time and location when the images were collected, and the license plate characters and numbers associated with the image. The images stored in the system are collected from areas visible to the public where there is no reasonable expectation of privacy. Moreover, LPR data stored in our system does not include any personally identifying information (PII), or information which relates the license plate image to the driver or registered owner of a vehicle. PII contained in vehicle registration information is protected by federal law (Driver’s Privacy Protection Act, Title 18, US Code, Section 2721 et seq.) and state laws. Law enforcement and other users may have access to vehicle registration information, and other sources of PII, which they may correlate with LPR data stored in the system to create vehicle hotlists in accordance with the above referenced federal law.
(A) Use and Collection of LPR Data
ParkHelp authorizes collection of LPR data for the use of the company and its customers consistent with this policy. ParkHelp only makes LPR data available to customers that have agreed by contract with us to use LPR data for authorized purposes. Customers that may have access to LPR data are limited to law enforcement agencies and private business enterprises.
The authorized uses of the ALPR system are:
- By customers to identify or ascertain the location of a specific vehicle under circumstances when there is a legitimate commercial interest.
- By law enforcement agencies for authorized law enforcement purposes.
- By the company to make LPR data available to customers and law enforcement agencies for the purposes above, and for the preparation of market research information to customers based on aggregated LPR data.
(B) Users and Training
All employees of the company are authorized to use the ALPR system to demonstrate the system to customers, or potential customers, provide customer support, or collect data for purposes authorized by this policy. We train employees and contractors who have a business reason to interact with LPR data about the sensitivity of LPR data.
All independent contractors of the company are authorized to use the ALPR system for purposes consistent with their underlying contract with the company and this policy. All authorized employees and independent contractors that collect ALPR Information are required to read and understand any documents (e.g. the operational manual for the specific camera type) necessary to successfully operate a camera.
(C) Monitoring and Compliance
The company is not aware of any individual privacy interest applicable to the anonymous LPR data contained in the system, however, because the company considers LPR data a valuable asset of the company, we maintain usage logs, and periodically audit such logs, to ensure the security of our data assets and compliance with this policy. The usage logs include the following information:
- The date and time LPR data is accessed.
- The IP address from which the LPR data is accessed.
- The license plate number or other data elements used to query the system.
- The username of the person who accessed the information and, as applicable, the organization or entity with whom the person is affiliated.
- The purpose for accessing the information.
(D) Sale, Sharing or Transfer of LPR Data
The company collects data for commercial purposes and does not collect data on behalf of law enforcement agencies. The company shares the results of specific queries for use by its customers consistent with this policy and pursuant to the customer’s license agreement. We prohibit our customers from disclosing the data to third parties. We also use vendors to help provide the service, but we will not otherwise sell, share, or transfer ALPR data to any other third party other than as stated in this policy.
We may provide market research information to customers based on aggregated LPR data.
(E) Custodian or Owner of the ALPR System
The company is the custodian and owner of the ALPR system and is responsible for implementing this policy.
(F) Accuracy of LPR Data
The collection of LPR data is automated so that the license plate images, and the details of when they are collected, are included in the system without review, along with the computer translation of the license plate number. Although very infrequent, the license plate translation is sometimes inaccurate or incomplete. To avoid mistaken use of LPR data the company recommends users of the data confirm the computer translation before taking any action as a result of LPR data. The company corrects mistaken translation and other database errors when identified.
(G) Retention
The company retains LPR data as long as it has commercial value and in compliance with applicable state laws and customer retention policies. The company periodically evaluates the use of historical LPR data to determine if the cost to maintain the data exceeds its value.
(H) Revisions of Usage and Privacy Policy
This ALPR Usage and Privacy Policy may be revised from time to time. Any changes to the policy will take effect upon posting and will apply to all ALPR system data regardless of when it was collected, in accordance with applicable law.