Emery | Reddy, PC is investigating whether the CVS Pharmacy at 3911 S. Bristol Street in Santa Ana is using a license plate reader camera without the privacy policy California law requires.
Automated license plate reader cameras, known as ALPR systems, are increasingly common at large retail chains, pharmacies, and shopping centers across California. These cameras photograph passing vehicles and turn each license plate into searchable data, often logging the date, time, and location of every visit. Emery | Reddy, PC is looking into whether the CVS Pharmacy located at 3911 S. Bristol Street, Santa Ana, CA 92704 (CVS store #8883) is using this kind of camera, and if so, whether it has met California’s disclosure requirements.
Source: CVS Pharmacy store locator (store #8883, 3911 S. Bristol Street, Santa Ana, CA 92704); general reporting on the rise of retail ALPR litigation in California (Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck; National Law Review).
California regulates private ALPR use under Civil Code Sections 1798.90.51 through 1798.90.55. Any business that runs an ALPR system must write a usage and privacy policy. That policy has to cover specific points, including:
The policy also has to be posted where the public can easily find it. A policy buried behind several links doesn’t count.
We have not yet confirmed whether the CVS Pharmacy at 3911 S. Bristol Street has a license plate camera on-site, or whether CVS has adopted and posted a compliant ALPR privacy policy at this location. That’s exactly what this investigation is trying to find out. If you’ve shopped at this CVS, especially if you noticed a camera mounted near the parking lot, entrance, or drive-through, Emery | Reddy wants to hear from you.
California businesses that run license plate readers have a legal duty to write and publicly post a compliant privacy policy. Under Bartholomew v. Parking Concepts, a business can be held liable for failing to meet that duty alone, without any showing that a driver’s data was actually misused.
What is an automated license plate reader (ALPR)?
An ALPR is a camera system that reads a passing car’s license plate and turns it into searchable data. Many systems also record the date, time, and location of each scan.
Has Emery | Reddy confirmed a camera at this CVS location?
Not yet. We’re investigating whether this specific CVS location uses an ALPR camera and whether it has posted the privacy policy California law requires. That’s why we’re asking people who’ve shopped there to tell us what they saw.
Do I have to prove a camera actually read my plate to help?
No. We just need to know what you saw and when. If you noticed a fixed camera at this CVS that you think might be an ALPR, or any posted camera signage, tell us.
Do I have to prove my data was misused to have a claim?
No. Under California’s ALPR Privacy Act, a business can be liable just for failing to post a required policy. You don’t have to prove the data was shared or misused.
What general risks come with license plate and location tracking?
License plate data can show a person’s daily routine — where they work, where they get medical care, or where they spend time. When this data is tied to a date, time, and location, California treats it as especially sensitive.
Has a lawsuit been filed against this CVS location?
Not as part of this investigation. Emery | Reddy is gathering information about whether this specific location uses a compliant ALPR system. Other ALPR lawsuits have been filed against shopping centers, retailers, and parking operators statewide following Bartholomew v. Parking Concepts.
Do I have a legal claim?
California businesses that run license plate readers have a legal duty to write and publicly post a compliant privacy policy. If a business near you didn’t meet that duty, you may have a claim worth pursuing. Contact Emery | Reddy, PC today for a Free Case Review. There is no fee unless we recover for you.
Whether you’ve been injured on the job, subjected to mistreatment in the workplace, or affected by a privacy breach, our expert attorneys are here to help.
