it creates a comprehensive data base of where people go, what they do and creates a net that no matter how innocent you are, you can t escape having your movements permanently monitored and recorded. critics say the camera systems is often described as the most photographed city on the planet, are increasingly being used by small municipalities in the u.s. for two reasons. the technology is getting cheaper and the federal government is subsidizing this technology. in a statement, homeland security spokeswoman said the department, quote, is exploring the ability to obtain access to a license plate recognition data base, allowing officers and agents to identify subjects of ongoing investigations. the data base can only be accessed in conjunction with ongoing criminal investigations but critics of the data base say it can be used in conjunction with other controversial data programs and this creates an even more wholesome picture of
jon: new information now on a crime fighting plan that s already raising privacy concerns. immigration officers plan to use their smart phones to take high res photos of license plates, then save them in a new government data base. ice saying it will help find and track criminals but critics say it goes too far. chief intelligence correspondent has details on that from washington. thank you, jon. good morning. this program came to light after a notice was posted seeking a government contractor to build a license plate recognition data base for homeland security at one of the divisions for boarder and immigration issues. automated technology was developed to identify and track stolen cars and vehicles associated with felony offenses. cameras photograph the vehicle plates, turn that image into data that can be stored indefinitely. the homeland security program is being developed in secret.