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New technology helps police track suspects, but does it invade your privacy too?

Cameras on police cars may record your vehicle's make, model and license plate. It helps police track suspects, but also concerns critics.
/ Source: TODAY

The next time you pass a police car on the road, say "cheese" — you may be getting your picture taken.

To be precise, cameras mounted on police cars may be reading and recording the make, model and license plate of your vehicle. The technology helps police track suspects; for example, it helped them find Vester Lee Flanagan, who fatally shot a TV reporter and cameraman on live TV in August. But some critics are concerned that it's an invasion of privacy.

Tuesday on TODAY, national investigative correspondent Jeff Rossen demonstrated the technology with the help of Coatesville, Pennsylvania, police, who picked up his vehicle's tag minutes after he began driving around town.

Coatesville police say they store the data for 30 days, but other police departments keep it much longer. That concerns the American Civil Liberties Union, which has filed suits in several states. Says the ACLU's Jay Stanley, "What's being created here is the potential to hit rewind on anybody's life."

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To suggest a topic for an upcoming investigation, visit the Rossen Reports Facebook page.