Uzbekistan's Big Brother: How License Plates Track You and the Global Rise of Surveillance
Across Uzbekistan, a pervasive network of approximately one hundred banks of high-resolution roadside cameras relentlessly scans vehicles’ license plates and their occupants, often processing thousands of scans daily. The stated purpose? Identifying potential traffic violations – cars running red lights, drivers neglecting seatbelts, and unlicensed vehicles operating at night. However, the scope and accessibility of this system raise serious concerns about privacy and government overreach. This article delves into the exposed surveillance infrastructure in Uzbekistan, its implications, and the broader trend of license plate tracking technology globally, particularly in the United States.
A Nation Under Watch: The Exposed Surveillance System
The extent of Uzbekistan’s surveillance capabilities came to light when security researcher Anurag Sen discovered the country’s sprawling license plate-tracking system exposed online without password protection. This lapse allowed anyone with an internet connection to access the system’s data, offering a rare and unsettling glimpse into the mechanics of national-level vehicle tracking. Artifacts within the system indicate the database was established in September 2024, with active traffic monitoring commencing in mid-2025.
Sen shared his findings with GearTech, revealing that the system’s database contains real-world camera locations, millions of photos, and raw video footage of passing vehicles. The system, operated by the Department of Public Security in Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs in Tashkent, remained exposed at the time of writing, despite repeated attempts by GearTech to notify relevant authorities. Emails to the Uzbek government in Washington D.C. and New York, as well as to the country’s computer emergency readiness team (UZCERT), went unanswered or received only automated acknowledgements.
Tracking a Single Vehicle: A Six-Month Journey
The system’s capabilities are starkly illustrated by the tracking of a single vehicle over six months. The vehicle’s movements were meticulously recorded as it traveled between Chirchiq, Tashkent, and Eshonguzar, often multiple times a week. This demonstrates the system’s ability to monitor individuals’ whereabouts with alarming precision.
Maxvision: The Chinese Tech Behind the Surveillance
The surveillance system identifies itself as an “intelligence traffic management system” developed by Maxvision, a Shenzhen, China-based company specializing in internet-connected traffic technologies, border inspection systems, and surveillance products. A LinkedIn video showcases Maxvision’s cameras, boasting their ability to record the “entire illegal process” and “display illegal and passing information in real-time.”
According to its brochure, Maxvision actively exports its security and surveillance technology to numerous countries worldwide, including Burkina Faso, Kuwait, Oman, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, and, crucially, Uzbekistan. This highlights the global reach of this technology and the potential for similar surveillance systems to be deployed in other nations.
Camera Locations and Capabilities
GearTech’s analysis of the exposed data revealed at least one hundred cameras strategically positioned across major Uzbek cities, busy junctions, and critical transit routes. GPS coordinates pinpointed camera clusters in Tashkent, Jizzakh, Qarshi, and Namangan. Notably, some cameras are even located in rural areas, particularly along the historically disputed borders between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.
In Tashkent, the country’s largest city, cameras are deployed at over a dozen locations, some of which are readily visible on Google Street View. These cameras capture video footage and still images of traffic violations in 4K resolution, with some footage watermarked with the name of the Singapore-based camera manufacturer, Holowits.
Inside the Dashboard: Accessing Violation Data
The exposed system provides access to a web-based interface featuring a dashboard that allows operators to examine footage of alleged traffic violations. This dashboard displays zoomed-in photos and raw video footage of violations, along with images of surrounding vehicles. GearTech redacted license plates and vehicle occupants before publication to protect privacy.
The Global Trend: License Plate Readers and Privacy Concerns
The exposure of Uzbekistan’s national license plate reading system is not an isolated incident. It’s part of a growing trend of security lapses involving road surveillance cameras and a broader expansion of license plate reader (LPR) technology worldwide.
Earlier this year, GearTech reported that more than 150 license plate readers across the United States, along with the real-time vehicle data they collect, were exposed to the internet without adequate security measures. This followed a 2019 GearTech report revealing over a hundred searchable and accessible license plate readers, some of which had been exposed for years despite warnings from security researchers.
Flock and the Expansion of LPR in the US
The United States is rapidly building a nationwide network of license plate readers, with a significant portion of the technology provided by surveillance giant Flock. Recently, independent news outlet 404 Media reported that Flock itself left dozens of its license plate reading cameras publicly exposed to the web, allowing a reporter to track their own movements in real-time. This incident underscores the inherent security risks associated with mass surveillance technologies.
The Risks of Mass Surveillance: Privacy, Security, and Potential for Abuse
The widespread deployment of license plate readers and the potential for data breaches, as demonstrated by the incidents in Uzbekistan and the United States, raise significant concerns about privacy, security, and the potential for abuse. The ability to track individuals’ movements over time creates a detailed record of their lives, which could be used for a variety of purposes, including:
- Law Enforcement Investigations: While LPRs can be valuable tools for investigating crimes, the data can also be used to build profiles of individuals and communities.
- Civil Immigration Enforcement: LPR data can be shared with immigration authorities, potentially leading to the deportation of undocumented individuals.
- Political Surveillance: The technology could be used to monitor political activists, journalists, and other individuals critical of the government.
- Commercial Tracking: Data collected by LPRs could be sold to private companies for marketing or other purposes.
Mitigating the Risks: Towards Responsible Surveillance
Addressing the risks associated with license plate reader technology requires a multi-faceted approach:
- Stronger Security Measures: Manufacturers and operators of LPR systems must implement robust security measures to protect against unauthorized access and data breaches. This includes strong password protection, encryption, and regular security audits.
- Data Minimization: LPR systems should only collect and retain data that is necessary for legitimate law enforcement purposes. Data should be automatically deleted after a reasonable period of time.
- Transparency and Accountability: The public should be informed about the deployment and use of LPR technology. There should be clear policies governing data access and use, and mechanisms for accountability in cases of abuse.
- Regulation and Oversight: Governments should consider enacting regulations to govern the use of LPR technology and ensure that it is used in a manner that respects privacy and civil liberties.
The case of Uzbekistan’s exposed surveillance system serves as a stark warning about the potential dangers of unchecked surveillance. As license plate reader technology becomes increasingly prevalent, it is crucial to prioritize privacy, security, and accountability to prevent the erosion of civil liberties and the creation of a society under constant watch. The global implications of companies like Maxvision exporting these technologies demand international scrutiny and a commitment to responsible surveillance practices.