The tracking of French motorists is about to take a major leap forward. The Senate has voted, in its first reading at the end of 2025, on a bill that will generalize the use of Automatic License Plate Recognition (ALPR) cameras and extend data retention to up to twelve months, subject to judicial authorization. The stated objective is to strengthen the fight against crime, from aggravated theft and receiving stolen goods to violent escape and aiding and abetting illegal immigration. The concrete result: your license plates, and sometimes images of your vehicle (or even its occupants), could be stored for much longer than they are today. For the State, it's a valuable tool; for drivers, it represents increased surveillance that raises privacy concerns. Until now, ALPR systems, already deployed on highways, in cities, and in parking lots, were mainly used to track stolen vehicles or issue tickets for serious traffic violations. The data was quickly deleted, within a few weeks. Now, for complex investigations, a judge will be able to authorize retention for up to a year. The network, which currently comprises around 650 cameras, is set to expand dramatically: starting in 2028, all video surveillance systems will be required to integrate ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition), bringing the total to over 5,000 devices. In Paris, Lyon, and Marseille, as well as in smaller towns, your movements will potentially be accessible for an entire year.
More security, but at what price?
Law enforcement agencies welcome the increased efficiency: enhanced coordination between the police, gendarmerie, customs, and municipal police forces; faster resolution of crimes; and improved prevention. A vehicle involved in a theft or hit-and-run could be located months later, thanks to a simple speed camera license plate. For honest drivers, this also promises fewer thefts and unpunished offenses. But the downside is causing concern: widespread surveillance, where every movement leaves a lasting trace. Civil liberties groups, already on high alert with algorithmic video surveillance, fear a gradual misuse of the system: today it's serious crimes, tomorrow it's minor traffic violations? The CNIL (French Data Protection Authority), the guardian of data protection, will have to ensure safeguards are in place, but extending the retention period to one year, even in judicial cases, opens the door to mass tracking. And who has access to these files? The police, the judiciary, but also potentially other agencies.
A text that is not yet final
The bill has only passed its first reading in the Senate. The National Assembly will have the final say, likely with amendments to strengthen controls (who authorizes it? For which specific offenses?). In the meantime, drivers should be aware of their rights: ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) systems capture license plate information, date, time, location, and sometimes a photo of the vehicle. You can request access to your data through the CNIL (French Data Protection Authority), or contest any misuse. By 2025, France is accelerating its move towards a hyper-surveilled society, where license plates become a key to legal proceedings. Enhanced security or Big Brother on four wheels? The debate is underway, and your daily commute is at stake.
