San Jose Faces Lawsuit Over Warrantless ALPR Searches

Community groups challenge city's use of Automated License Plate Reader data for immigration enforcement

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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San Jose is at the center of a growing debate over the use of Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs) and the potential for misuse of the data they collect. Civil rights groups have filed a lawsuit alleging that the San Jose Police Department routinely violates the California Constitution by searching ALPR databases without obtaining a warrant, logging over 261,000 searches in just over a year.

Why it matters

The lawsuit reflects a broader concern about how ALPR data can be accessed and used, particularly for immigration enforcement purposes, despite legal prohibitions. It highlights the tension between public safety and individual privacy, as well as the need for greater transparency and accountability around surveillance technologies.

The details

The lawsuit, filed by SIREN and CAIR California and represented by the Electronic Frontier Foundation and ACLU of Northern California, argues that San Jose police have been conducting warrantless searches of ALPR data, averaging nearly 700 searches per day. This practice, the lawsuit claims, violates the California Constitution. The case could set a precedent for how ALPR data is accessed and used in other cities and states.

  • The lawsuit was filed in February 2026.
  • San Jose police have logged over 261,000 ALPR searches in just over a year.

The players

SIREN

A community organization that advocates for immigrant rights and is a plaintiff in the lawsuit against San Jose.

CAIR California

The California chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, a civil rights organization that is also a plaintiff in the lawsuit.

Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF)

A non-profit organization that focuses on defending civil liberties in the digital world and is representing the plaintiffs in the lawsuit.

ACLU of Northern California

The Northern California affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union, which is also representing the plaintiffs in the lawsuit.

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What they’re saying

“We must not allow the government to conduct mass surveillance of our communities without a warrant. This lawsuit is a critical step in protecting the privacy rights of all Californians.”

— Zahra Billoo, Executive Director, CAIR-SFBA (CAIR California)

“The widespread use of ALPRs by law enforcement, without proper safeguards, poses a serious threat to the privacy and civil liberties of all Californians.”

— Matt Cagle, Technology and Civil Liberties Attorney, ACLU of Northern California (ACLU of Northern California)

What’s next

The judge in the case will rule on whether to grant an injunction to stop the San Jose Police Department's warrantless searches of ALPR data.

The takeaway

This lawsuit highlights the growing concerns about the use of surveillance technologies like ALPRs and the need for stronger privacy protections and community oversight to ensure these tools are not misused, particularly for immigration enforcement purposes.