ACLU raises questions about new system in Providence Place parking garage

By Bianca Buono

bbuono@abc6.com

@BBuonoABC6

A new system inside the parking garage at the Providence Place Mall has gotten the attention of the ACLU. The new system uses license plate recognition which the organization views as controversial.

"Automated license plate readers are a technology that’s in use across the country by all sorts of entities,” said Steven Brown, the executive director of the ACLU Rhode Island.

The technology is nothing new to the ACLU. In fact, the organization views it as an invasion of privacy and has discouraged its use, especially by government agencies like police departments.

"If there are enough ALPRs out there, somebody can keep track of your movements throughout the day which raises very serious privacy concerns,” Brown said.

When it comes to private use, like what’s happening at the Providence Place parking garage, Brown says concerns aren’t as serious but he has some questions.

"As a matter of good practice, we think it’s important that any entity making use of this, because it is privacy invasive, have some policies in place,” Brown said.

First, that the license plate information is erased after a short period of time.

"Also to have standards in place to ensure that the information is kept private,” explained Brown.

ABC6 reached out to a mall spokesman, who said all data collected with the new system is stored in a “protected environment” and is erased once the driver leaves the mall.

"Any photograph is only used to help a customer find their vehicle when using the technology to search for it in the garage,” said Dante Bellini, a mall spokesman.

Bellini said the new system was put in place “to improve the customer experience.”

“The system is also designed to assist with flow within the garage and reduce the “churn” of customers seeking a parking space by immediately directing them to an available space. An additional benefit, it will also be used to assist in the location of a parked car,” Bellini said.

This new system was to blame for a glitch last week that caused around 30 people to be overcharged at the mall. Bellini says all of those customers have been refunded.

© WLNE-TV 2016