Rekor Systems Offers Policymakers a Privacy-Protected and Responsible Path Forward for the Use of Automated License Plate Recognition

Rhea-AI Summary

Rekor Systems (NASDAQ: REKR) announced on November 19, 2025 that it obtained a U.S. patent for a technology framework to protect personal privacy for automated license plate recognition (ALPR) and vehicle recognition data. The framework encodes and anonymizes vehicle identification data at point of collection, enables real-time use of deidentified data, and releases identifying information only upon warrant or legal authorization. Rekor says the method supports real-time access to NCIC hot-listed vehicles and can be adopted by public safety agencies via policy, legislation, or procurement rules.

Positive

• U.S. patent obtained for privacy and anonymization method
• Immediate encoding of license plate data at point of collection
• Real-time use of deidentified vehicle information for operations
• Identifying data released only with warrant or legal authorization
• Supports real-time access to NCIC hot-listed wanted vehicles

Negative

• None.

COLUMBIA, Md., Nov. 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rekor Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: REKR) ("Rekor" or the "Company"), a leader in developing and implementing state-of-the-art roadway intelligence technology, today announced that it has developed a technology framework to protect personal privacy in connection with the use of vehicle recognition data, including data generated through automated license plate recognition (“ALPR”).   The announcement comes as officials across the United States and around the world are actively examining the risks associated with large-scale ALPR and vehicle recognition networks, problematic interagency data sharing, and the exposure of personal information to unauthorized third parties or through FOIA requests.

The Company has obtained a patent from the United States Patent and Trademark Office that establishes a structured, and enforceable method for encoding and anonymizing vehicle identification data (including license plate reads) at the point of collection. The method ensures that specific vehicle information remains encrypted and cannot be accessed without lawful authorization and addresses growing national and international concerns about widespread surveillance, inconsistent privacy practices, and the lack of any proper safeguards regarding how vehicle data is used and shared.

Core elements of Rekor’s privacy framework include:

• Immediate encoding of all license plate and other vehicle identification data as part of the collection process.
• Real time ability to use deidentified vehicle information for legitimate purposes.
• Releasing identifying information only when a warrant or legally approved documentation is received.
• Real-time access to National Crime Information Center “hot-listed” wanted vehicles to support urgent public safety requirements.

This approach provides a process for establishing consistent privacy safeguards through administrative guidance, legislation, or procurement rules. Public safety agencies can adopt it without disrupting their current activities, and it improves oversight, accountability, and public confidence in ALPR programs.

“Our innovative and groundbreaking approach offers a transformative procedure for ALPR use,” said Chris Kadoch, Chief Science Officer at Rekor Systems. “Public safety agencies and elected officials need to be able to ensure that they can reliably and efficiently enforce safeguards and limits on how and when personal data is accessed. Our approach provides built-in privacy protection while preserving the investigative capabilities agencies rely on.”

State, local, and international leaders are evaluating how to improve privacy protections and set responsible standards for ALPR use,” said Jenn Candelaria, General Manager of Rekor Scout: “Our innovative approach provides a practical way to update policies and increase public trust. I encourage public safety agencies, elected officials, and policymakers interested in implementing privacy-protected ALPR to contact the company directly.”

Rekor will provide this patented privacy framework to any authorized government agency seeking a new ALPR system that supports accountability, enhances privacy protections, and maintains operational efficiency for public safety programs.

About Rekor Systems, Inc.
Rekor Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: REKR) is a leader in developing and implementing state-of-the-art roadway intelligence systems using AI-enabled computer vision and machine learning. As a pioneer in the implementation of digital infrastructure, Rekor is collecting, connecting, and organizing the world's mobility data – laying the foundation for a digitally-enabled operating system for the roadway. With our Rekor One® Roadway Intelligence Engine at the core of our technology, we aggregate and transform trillions of data points into intelligence through proprietary computer vision, machine learning, and big data analytics that power our platforms and applications. Our solutions provide actionable insights that give governments and businesses a comprehensive picture of roadways while providing a collaborative environment that drives the world to be safer, greener, and more efficient. To learn more, please visit our website: https://rekor.ai, and follow Rekor on social media on LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter), Threads, and Facebook.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release and its links and attachments contains forward looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 concerning Rekor Systems, Incthat involve substantial risks and uncertainties, including particularly statements regarding our future results of operations and financial position, business strategy, prospective products and services, timing and likelihood of success, plans and objectives of management for future operations and future results of current and anticipated products and services. These statements involve uncertainties, such as known and unknown risks, and are dependent on other important factors that may cause our actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from the future results, performance or achievements we express or imply. For this purpose, any statements that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as "may," "will," "should," "expect," "plan," "anticipate," "could," "intend," "target," "project," "contemplates," "believes," "estimates," "predicts," "potential," or "continue," or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions described under the sections in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 entitled "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Given these risks and uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Readers are urged to carefully review and consider the various disclosures made in this Press Release and in other documents we file from time to time with the SEC that disclose risks and uncertainties that may affect our business. The forward-looking statements in this Press Release do not reflect the potential impact of any divestiture, merger, acquisition, or other business combination that had not been completed as of the date of this filing. Because forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted or quantified and some of which are beyond our control, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. We do not undertake any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of the receipt of new information, the occurrence of future events, or otherwise.

Media & Investor Relations Contact:                                                                                      
Rekor Systems, Inc.
Charles Degliomini
ir@rekor.ai

FAQ

What did Rekor announce on November 19, 2025 about ALPR privacy?

Rekor announced a patented framework that encodes and anonymizes ALPR data at collection and restricts identifying releases to lawful authorization.

Does Rekor's November 19, 2025 patent allow real-time deidentified data use (REKR)?

Yes; the framework provides real-time ability to use deidentified vehicle information for legitimate purposes.

How does Rekor's framework handle identifying vehicle information for REKR?

Identifying information is encrypted at collection and released only when a warrant or legally approved documentation is received.

Will Rekor's patented approach support public safety alerts for REKR vehicles?

The framework supports real-time access to National Crime Information Center hot-listed wanted vehicles to meet urgent public safety needs.

Who can obtain Rekor's patented ALPR privacy framework (REKR)?

Rekor will provide the patented privacy framework to any authorized government agency seeking an ALPR system that supports accountability and privacy.

How can policymakers use Rekor's November 19, 2025 ALPR framework (REKR)?

Policymakers can adopt the framework through administrative guidance, legislation, or procurement rules to standardize privacy safeguards.