Surveillance technology includes any tool used to watch, track, or collect information about people, cars, or places. This can include cameras, license plate readers, facial recognition software, drones, and data-sharing networks. These tools collect large amounts of data about everyday life in communities like San Antonio.

San Antonio currently uses automated license plate readers (ALPRs), surveillance cameras, and is connected to regional data-sharing networks. The city may also test or explore other tools over time. The full list of systems in use is not always publicly shared, which is part of why this project exists.

Surveillance affects everyone, not just people suspected of crimes. When large amounts of data are collected, it can discourage people from speaking out, joining protests, or meeting with certain groups. The issue is not just guilt or innocence — it is who can see your movements and how that information might be used in the future.

Automated license plate readers photograph every vehicle that passes by, capturing the plate number, date, time, and location. That information is stored in a database and can be searched later. Over time, this can create a detailed record of where your car has been, even if you were never suspected of anything.

Facial recognition software looks at images or video and tries to match a person’s face against a database of stored photos. It can be used on live camera feeds or on recordings. Its accuracy can vary a lot depending on lighting, camera quality, and the person being identified.

Yes. Automated tools like facial recognition have documented error rates, especially for women and people with darker skin tones. A bad match can lead to someone being wrongly questioned, investigated, or even arrested.

Yes. Studies show that surveillance is often used more heavily in lower-income neighborhoods and communities of color. When automated systems are also less accurate for some groups, those residents face a higher risk of false matches and over-policing.

Helpful safeguards include strict limits on how long data can be kept, regular independent audits, and detailed logs of who accesses the data and why. Public reporting and requiring City Council approval before new surveillance tools are bought or used also increase accountability. These steps can support public safety while better protecting residents’ rights.

No. The San Antonio Privacy Project is an independent civic effort run outside of city government. We are not connected to the City of San Antonio, the San Antonio Police Department, or any other government agency.

You can sign up for updates, volunteer with the project, or share tips and public records through our Contact page. You can also talk with neighbors, attend local meetings, and share your views with city leaders. Community involvement from people across San Antonio is essential to this work.