Lawyer raises concerns over new licence plates
An Edmonton lawyer is raising concerns that new reflective licence plates the province is introducing could pose privacy issues if restrictions on the use and storage of data are not imposed.
The province announced Monday it will be issuing reflective licence plates that are easily scanned by automated readers starting in the new year.
Austin Corbett, an Edmonton-based attorney, said he has concerns over how automated scanners could be used to record and store data. He said these types of readers have been used in the U.S. to survey entire low-income or marginalized neighbourhoods.
To ensure data that is collected is not abused, he would like to see limits on its use.
“I think both a data retention period, setting out that we keep this data for a limited period of time, and saying, `Here are the uses that you're allowed to use it for, here are the uses where you have to go get a judge to sign off,'” said Corbett, describing what restrictions could be put in place.
Corbett said he is contemplating filing a complaint with the office of the privacy commissioner.
Scott Sibbald, a spokesman for the office of the privacy commissioner, said anyone who has concerns about their data being collected or stored can file a complaint. He said Service Alberta did not discuss the change with the office but noted they are not required to do so.
Service Alberta Minister Nate Glubish said he doesn't see the new plates as a privacy issue and said they will bring nothing new in terms of law enforcement monitoring Alberta's streets. He said current vanity plates in Alberta, such as the “support our troops” designs already use reflective technology.
“We know this works. We've got a track record. This is simply now saying that the standard-issue licence plate in Alberta will also be using that same technology,” said Glubish. “(Law enforcement) have visual cues today with the stickers. Now, the visual cues are going to be just the plates themselves, and we don't need the stickers.”
Edmonton police spokeswoman Cheryl Voordenhout said the Edmonton Police Service is part of the Alberta Association of Chiefs of Police, which was consulted on the new plates. She said they are currently working to inform their members of the change.
“This change will have minimal effect on officers doing their dayto-day jobs,” said Voordenhout in an email.
PLATES TO BE PHASED IN, BUY- IN NOT MANDATORY
Glubish said in an interview Tuesday the new plates will be phased in as drivers renew their vehicle's registration.
“Nobody's going to be forced to change their licence plate as a result of what we've announced this week,” said Glubish. “There are millions of cars on the road, and millions of licence plates being renewed every year and the shift to reflective plates is going to take some time.”
He said the new plates will cost the same as the previously issued painted ones. He said if someone chooses not to purchase a new plate, their old plates will be road legal without an expiration sticker.
Glubish said the new plates will allow for law enforcement to better identify vehicles of interest. He said the government consulted with police forces prior to making the change.
Quebec, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and the Northwest Territories have all made the switch to reflective plates in previous years.
When Ontario made the switch to new plates earlier this year, that province found the design was flawed and made them more challenging to read.
Glubish said Alberta's licence plate change is a different situation from the one in Ontario. He said the Wild Rose County design with red letters on a white backdrop is easily readable and will not be changing. The change is expected to save the government approximately $1 million per year.