California Sues City Over Surveillance Data

October 8, 2025

California Attorney General Rob Bonta has filed a lawsuit against the City of El Cajon for allegedly violating state law by sharing automated license plate reader (ALPR) data with law enforcement agencies in over two dozen states. The lawsuit highlights concerns about privacy and safety for immigrants and women seeking reproductive care, as California loses oversight of how this data is used once it leaves the state. El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells defends the city's practices as legally sound and necessary for crime-fighting efforts across state lines, dismissing concerns about potential misuse of the data as "ludicrous.

Who is affected

Residents of El Cajon whose vehicle information is being collected and shared
Immigrants in California who may face deportation risks if data is shared with federal agencies
Women seeking reproductive care whose movements could be tracked in states with different abortion policies
Law enforcement agencies in El Cajon who use ALPR technology for criminal investigations
California residents whose license plate data might be shared with out-of-state agencies

What action is being taken

California Attorney General Rob Bonta is suing the City of El Cajon over its ALPR data sharing practices
El Cajon is currently sharing ALPR data with law enforcement agencies in more than two dozen states
Bonta is asking a judge to declare El Cajon's data sharing practices unlawful and order the city to stop
El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells is defending the city's practices against the lawsuit

Why it matters

California law prohibits sharing ALPR data with federal or out-of-state authorities to maintain state oversight
Once data leaves California, it can be accessed by agencies in states with different policies on immigration and reproductive rights
Data sharing could undermine trust between law enforcement and immigrant communities
The lawsuit occurs during "heightened concern for immigrants and women seeking reproductive care"
El Cajon has shared data with states including Texas, Florida, Georgia, Utah, Wisconsin, and Virginia, which have different protections for immigrants and reproductive rights than California
The legal conflict represents tension between law enforcement's desire to use technology for crime-solving and privacy protection concerns

What's next

The case has been filed in San Diego Superior Court, where a judge will rule on whether to declare El Cajon's data sharing practices unlawful and order them to stop

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint