Technology
License plate cameras at Home Depot and Lowe’s spark privacy fears
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You pull into a Home Depot or Lowe’s parking lot to grab mulch, paint or a new patio chair. You probably expect security cameras near the entrance. What you may not expect is a camera that captures your license plate as you drive in or out.
That is now reportedly happening at some Home Depot and Lowe’s stores in Connecticut. The cameras are automated license plate readers, also known as ALPRs. They photograph the back of a vehicle, record the plate number and log details such as time and location.
Retailers say the systems help prevent theft and protect customers and employees. Police say the cameras can help solve crimes. However, privacy advocates worry that shoppers may have little idea when their plate is being scanned or who can later search that data.
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A license plate reader camera is seen near a Lowe’s parking lot entrance in Connecticut, where vehicles can be scanned as shoppers come and go. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
What are license plate cameras?
Automated license plate readers use cameras and software to capture plate numbers from passing vehicles. Police departments often use them on roads to look for stolen cars, missing vehicles or suspects tied to active investigations.
Now, similar systems are showing up in retail parking lots. In Connecticut, Flock Safety cameras have been installed at some Home Depot and Lowe’s locations. Flock Safety’s license plate reader technology captures vehicle information, including license plates and vehicle characteristics such as make, model and color on the property. The company said its system does not use facial recognition.
That means a quick trip to Home Depot or Lowe’s could create a searchable data point tied to your vehicle. Also, more than two dozen police departments in the state use automated plate readers.
Why are stores using license plate readers?
Home Depot and Lowe’s say the cameras are used for security, theft prevention and public safety.
In a statement to CyberGuy, a Home Depot spokesperson said, “We’ve had parking area security cameras in place at our stores for many years, as many retailers do. These cameras are used solely as a security measure to prevent theft and protect the safety of our customers and associates in our stores. We do not grant access to our license plate readers to federal law enforcement.” Home Depot also points customers to its usage policy posted on its website.
Home Depot’s statement addresses federal law enforcement access, but questions remain about how local or out-of-state police requests are handled.
Lowe’s privacy policy says personal information collected through ALPRs may be used to help ensure security, prevent theft and fraud, assist with parking enforcement and help keep people and property safe.
That may sound reasonable, especially with organized retail theft making headlines. Still, the bigger question is what happens after your plate gets scanned.
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A close-up view shows an automated license plate reader camera mounted at a Lowe’s store in Connecticut, where the technology can capture vehicle plate data as shoppers drive by. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
Can police access store license plate data?
Yes, in some cases. Police officials say law enforcement can access data from Lowe’s and Home Depot license plate cameras in Connecticut. Some local departments have also entered into written agreements with retailers to receive automatic or continuous access to cameras at certain stores.
When Flock Safety cameras are deployed by private businesses, the data is owned and controlled by the business or organization using the system. The company says data sharing is off by default, and any decision to share data requires an active choice by the data owner. Flock also says every search is permanently logged in an immutable audit trail. That means police access isn’t simply automatic through Flock. It depends on whether the business chooses to share access, how that access is granted and which agencies are approved.
That is where the privacy debate gets tricky. Connecticut recently passed new rules for police use of automated license plate readers. The law limits how police can share plate data with out-of-state agencies, adds data retention rules and prohibits use of the systems for immigration enforcement.
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However, the law focuses on public agencies. It does not directly address private companies that use similar cameras in their parking lots. That means a police-owned camera on a road may face one set of rules, while a retailer-owned camera in a store parking lot may fall into a murkier category. Private retailers also do not have the same public disclosure requirements as police departments.
So shoppers may not know which local or out-of-state agencies have access, how often police search the data or what happens when requests cross state lines. That’s the bigger concern. The issue isn’t only that your plate may be scanned. It is that the rules may depend on who owns the camera.
A solar-powered automated license plate reader camera stands above a Home Depot parking lot in Connecticut, capturing vehicle plate data as cars move through the area. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
How to protect your privacy around license plate cameras
You cannot fully stop a camera from seeing your license plate when you drive in public. However, you can take a few practical steps.
Look for posted notices
Check for signs near parking lot entrances or store exits. Some retailers may disclose the use of license plate readers on signs, store websites or privacy policies.
Read the store’s privacy policy
Search the retailer’s privacy policy for phrases such as “automated license plate reader,” “ALPR,” “vehicle information,” or “license plate.” That can help you understand what data the company says it collects and why.
Ask how your plate data is used
Contact customer service if you want clearer answers. Ask how long the company keeps license plate data, which agencies can access it and how requests from law enforcement are reviewed. Flock Safety data is automatically deleted after 30 days by default. Shoppers can still ask whether a retailer uses the default setting or a different retention policy.
Watch what lawmakers do next
Pay attention to local and state rules. More states are looking closely at license plate reader data, but private use may still fall behind police regulation.
Why this debate is only getting bigger
Retailers want tools that help stop theft. Police want information that can help with investigations. Those goals are not hard to understand.
The problem is transparency. People should know when their movements are being logged, how long that data lasts and who can search it later.
License plate readers are spreading because they are useful. However, useful technology still needs clear rules. Without them, a simple shopping trip can become another piece of location data sitting in a database most people never knew existed.
What this means for you
This does not mean you need to avoid Home Depot or Lowe’s. It does mean some retail parking lots may collect more information than you realize. Your license plate is already visible in public. But automated scanning changes the equation. A person spotting your plate in a parking lot is one thing. A searchable database that logs when and where your vehicle appeared is very different. The concern comes down to control and transparency.
The rules can vary depending on who owns the camera, who manages the data and who gets access. A local police camera may face public reporting rules. A private retailer’s system can still leave shoppers with questions about which agencies received access and how those decisions were made.
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Kurt’s key takeaways
License plate cameras at stores create a privacy tradeoff that none of us signed up for. On one hand, stores want to stop theft and keep parking lots safer. That makes sense. On the other hand, you may not expect your license plate to be logged just because you ran in for mulch, batteries or a new drill bit. That is why transparency is so important. If private companies are collecting this kind of data and police can access it, you deserve to know how long it is kept, who can search it and what rules are in place. Security can be useful, but it should not come with a guessing game about where your information goes next.
Would you still shop at a store if you knew your license plate was being scanned and potentially shared with police? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com
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Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
Last year, Sam Altman invited author Dave Eggers to give a talk to around 200 OpenAI staffers. The man has written countless novels, screenplays, pieces of journalism, started McSweeney’s, and founded multiple schools and nonprofits that support writers and the arts more broadly. So one might expect he’d roll into the company’s offices and offer tips on being relentlessly prolific, or how to excel in multiple fields. Instead, he apparently laced into the company. According to the Financial Times, Eggers told the staff:
“The effect of ChatGPT on educators’ lives is catastrophic. Whether you intended to do it or not, you’ve made every teacher’s life infinitely more difficult than it was two years ago. So, just let that settle in… If students are using it to compose, which is the biggest tragedy of all, they’ll never learn to write. And their voice is stolen from them. They’ll never have the ability to say their truth and tell their own story. And that’s silencing an entire generation or two.”
To be fair, Altman likely knew what he was getting himself into. Eggers’ best-selling novel The Circle is a scathing critique of the tech industry. And he’s called AI-generated writing “pastiche nonsense.”
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We have all been there. You come home from a trip, someone asks to see the photos, and suddenly your phone is making its way around the room, one person at a time. That works for a few snapshots. It gets old fast when you have beach videos, family group shots, mountain views or that one ridiculous restaurant photo everyone needs to see.
The better move is to put your vacation photos on a bigger screen. You can use a TV, projector, laptop, tablet or even an outdoor screen. The right method depends on what phone you have, what screen is nearby and whether you are at your house or someone else’s. Here are the easiest ways to share vacation photos without turning your phone into a handoff relay.
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A laptop can make it easier to pull up a clean vacation album before sharing photos on a TV or projector. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
Start with the screen you already have
Before you mess with settings, look around the room. The best option may already be sitting in front of you. A smart TV works well for most people because it may support AirPlay, Chromecast, Smart View, Roku, Fire TV or screen mirroring. A laptop can also work if the TV connection gets messy. A tablet is great for a smaller group at the kitchen table. A projector gives you the biggest wow factor, especially outside.
If your TV is due for an upgrade, CyberGuy’s Top TVs of 2026 can help you find one with the features that make photo sharing easier. Search “Top TVs of 2026” in the search bar at CyberGuy.com.
Also, think about privacy before you start. Open only the album you want people to see. No one needs your screenshots, receipts or random camera roll surprises popping up on a 65-inch TV.
A projector setup gives your trip photos a big-screen feel for family gatherings, parties or summer nights outside. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
How to share iPhone photos on a TV with AirPlay
AirPlay is usually the cleanest option for iPhone owners. It works with Apple TV, many smart TVs, some Roku devices, and select Fire TV smart TVs that support AirPlay.
Here’s how to do it:
- Open the Photos app on your iPhone.
- Tap the photo or video you want to show.
- Tap the Share button.
- Swipe up if needed.
- Tap AirPlay.
- Then choose your Apple TV or AirPlay-compatible TV.
- If a passcode appears on the TV, enter it on your iPhone.
This is great when you are at home, and your TV already supports AirPlay. It can also work at someone else’s house, but both devices usually need to be on the same Wi-Fi network. If you use AirPlay often, it is also worth reading CyberGuy’s report on how hackers are breaking into Apple devices through AirPlay so you know how to use it more safely.
How to mirror your iPhone screen
Sometimes the AirPlay button does not appear where you expect it. In that case, mirror your whole iPhone screen.
- Swipe down from the top-right corner to open Control Center.
- Tap the Screen Mirroring button , which looks like two overlapping rectangles.
- Select the Apple TV or a compatible smart TV.
- Then open Photos and start swiping.
- The catch is that everyone can see what is on your screen.
Turn on Do Not Disturb or Focus first so private texts and alerts do not show up during the slideshow.
How to share Android photos on a TV with Chromecast
For Android owners, Google Photos and Chromecast are a strong combo. This works with Chromecast devices, Google TV Streamer and many TVs with Google Cast built in.
Settings may vary depending on your Android’s manufacturer
- Open Google Photos.
- Select the photo or album you want to show.
- Tap More , then tap Cast.
- Choose your Chromecast or compatible TV.
- Once it connects, open a photo or video and swipe through your vacation shots.
This method also works from Google Photos on iPhone or iPad if you are signed into your Google Account.
How to share Samsung Galaxy photos with Smart View
Samsung Galaxy phones have a built-in screen mirroring feature called Smart View. It is one of the easiest ways to show photos on a Samsung TV and some other compatible displays.
Settings may vary depending on your Android’s manufacturer
- Swipe down from the top of the screen to open Quick Settings.
- Tap Smart View . The icon usually looks like a play button or phone-style shape sending to a screen.
- Choose your TV.
- Tap Start now if prompted.
- Then open your Gallery or Google Photos app.
Smart View mirrors your whole phone screen, so the same privacy rule applies. Open the album first and silence notifications before you start.
How to use Samsung DeX for a cleaner big-screen setup
Some Samsung Galaxy phones and tablets support Samsung DeX. This can make your phone feel more like a desktop on a TV or monitor.
You can connect with a USB-C to HDMI cable or adapter. Some TVs also support wireless DeX through compatible screen mirroring. Once connected, open your photo app and display your album from the big screen.
DeX can be especially useful when you want a cleaner setup for a family gathering, reunion or backyard slideshow because you are not simply throwing your entire phone screen onto the TV.
How to connect your phone with an HDMI cable
A cable may feel old school, but it is often the most reliable method. It also avoids Wi-Fi problems at someone else’s house.
For iPhone 15 and newer USB-C models, use a USB-C to HDMI adapter or cable. Plug it into your iPhone, connect the HDMI cable to the TV or projector and switch the TV to the correct HDMI input.
For older iPhones with Lightning, use a Lightning Digital AV Adapter and an HDMI cable.
For Android phones, USB-C to HDMI support depends on the model. Many Samsung Galaxy phones support video output, while some other Android phones may not. If your phone supports it, plug the USB-C to HDMI adapter into your phone, connect the HDMI cable to the screen and choose the correct input.
This is one of the best options for outdoor projectors because it avoids weak backyard Wi-Fi.
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An outdoor screen can turn vacation photos into a backyard slideshow once the sun starts to go down. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
How to show photos from a laptop
A laptop gives you more control when you want a polished slideshow. You can open iCloud Photos, Google Photos, OneDrive or a folder of downloaded photos. Then connect the laptop to a TV or projector with HDMI.
On Windows , press Windows key + P to choose how the screen appears.
On a Mac, connect the display and use System Settings if you need to adjust the screen arrangement.
You can also cast from some laptops to wireless displays. On Windows, press Windows key + K and select a compatible wireless display. This can work well with Miracast-enabled TVs and adapters.
The laptop method is helpful when multiple people have sent you photos after the trip, and you want everything in one place before guests arrive.
How to use a tablet as the shared screen
A tablet works well for smaller groups. It is bigger than a phone, easier to pass around and less awkward at a dinner table.
On iPad, open Photos, Google Photos or iCloud Photos . You can also AirPlay to a bigger screen if one is nearby.
On an Android tablet , open Google Photo s or your gallery app and cast to a Chromecast-enabled TV when available.
This is a good fallback when you are at someone else’s house, and you do not want to mess with their TV settings.
How to share photos on Roku
Roku gives you several options depending on your phone.
If you have an iPhone and the Roku device supports AirPlay, use AirPlay or Screen Mirroring from Control Center.
If you have Android or Windows, Roku supports screen mirroring from compatible devices. Roku also has Photo Streams in the Roku mobile app, which lets you upload photos and share a stream.
Photo Streams can be a nice option for parties because you can prepare the photos before people arrive instead of connecting your phone in the moment.
How to share photos on Fire TV
Some Fire TV smart TVs support AirPlay. If yours does, you can enable AirPlay in the Fire TV settings and share from an iPhone.
Fire TV also supports display mirroring on certain models. Go to Settings , then Display & Sounds , then Enable Display Mirroring. After that, connect from your compatible phone, tablet or computer.
Not every Fire TV device supports every mirroring option, so this is one place where the exact model can make a difference.
How a streaming device can help
A streaming device can make photo sharing easier if your older TV lacks AirPlay, Chromecast or screen mirroring. Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV and Chromecast-style devices can give an older screen newer sharing features.
If you are thinking about adding one, CyberGuy’s guide to the 5 best streaming devices in 2026 at cyberguy.com breaks down strong options for different homes and budgets.
This can also help if you visit relatives who have a perfectly good TV that feels stuck in another decade. Plug in the streaming device, connect it to Wi-Fi and you may have a much easier way to show photos.
A smart TV or streaming device can help bring your photo album to the biggest screen in the room. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
How to make a shared album before guests arrive
A shared album can save you from digging through your camera roll while everyone waits.
On iPhone, use iCloud Shared Albums if your guests are also in the Apple world. Select the photos , tap Share, choose Add to Shared Album and post them to the album.
Google Photos is more flexible for mixed groups. You can create a shared album, add photos and send a link. That works well when some people have iPhones and others have Android phones.
This is also the easiest way to let other people add their own vacation shots. After a group trip, ask everyone to upload their best photos to one shared album before the slideshow.
For more family-friendly options, CyberGuy has also rounded up the best free sites for sharing photos and videos with your extended family.
How to show vacation photos outdoors
Outdoor photo sharing needs a little more planning. Sunlight, Wi-Fi and power can all get in the way.
A portable projector is the most fun option for backyard photo nights. Use a white wall, projector screen or even a clean white sheet pulled tight. For the best picture, wait until dusk or evening.
You can connect your phone with HDMI, cast wirelessly if the projector supports it or plug in a streaming stick such as Roku, Fire TV, Chromecast or Google TV Streamer. If your projector has Google TV built in, you may be able to open Google Photos or cast directly.
For outdoor setups, bring a long extension cord, portable speaker, HDMI cable, phone adapter and backup charger. Wireless casting can work, but a cable is less likely to fail when the Wi-Fi signal is weak.
Best methods by situation
If you are at your own house, use AirPlay, Chromecast, Smart View or a shared album on your smart TV.
If you are at someone else’s house, use an HDMI cable or shared album link. That avoids asking for Wi-Fi passwords and digging through their TV menus.
If you are outside, use a projector with HDMI or a streaming stick. Keep a charger nearby because photo and video sharing can drain your phone quickly.
If you have a mixed iPhone and Android crowd, use Google Photos or a shared album link. It is usually easier than trying to make every device talk to the same TV.
If you want the least awkward option, prepare an album before people arrive. Your future self will thank you.
Privacy tips before you start sharing
Before you turn your vacation memories into a living room or backyard slideshow, take a minute to make sure you are only sharing what you actually want everyone to see.
1) Make a clean album first
Create a dedicated album with only the photos you want people to see. Hide or remove anything personal before you cast or mirror. Before you put anything on a big screen, you may also want to hide private photos on your iPhone or Android from snoops.
2) Silence alerts before you cast
Turn on Do Not Disturb or Focus so messages and notifications stay off the big screen. Avoid opening your full camera roll in front of guests. Start from the album instead. If your camera roll is overflowing with screenshots, duplicates and random saves, CyberGuy’s five digital clean-up tips you didn’t know you needed can help you tidy things up before slideshow night.
3) Watch what your photos reveal
Be careful with location data if you share an album link. Some photo services may include or display location details depending on your settings. Also, remember to stop casting or mirroring when you are done. It sounds obvious until your phone reconnects to the TV while you are checking something private. And while you are using a smart TV, take a minute to review the privacy clauses hidden in smart home devices that may affect what your TV, speaker or connected gadgets collect.
Kurt’s key takeaways
Vacation photos are more fun when everyone can actually see them. Passing one phone around the room kills the moment, especially when you have videos, Live Photos and group shots worth showing. The best method depends on where you are. At home, AirPlay, Chromecast or Smart View may be easiest. At someone else’s house, an HDMI adapter can save you from Wi-Fi headaches. Outdoors, a projector can turn a backyard into a photo night people actually remember. But let’s be real here. The smartest move is making a clean album before anyone arrives. That way, you control what shows up, you avoid awkward screen surprises and you spend less time fumbling with settings.
What is your favorite way to show vacation photos when family or friends come over: phone, TV, projector or something else? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.
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Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
Now, if you want to, you can use Google’s 3D emoji in your own creations. The company shared some details about how it went about designing the little pictograms and why, as part of World Emoji Day on Friday. Things you might not necessarily worry about in a 2D illustration suddenly become very important when you’re talking about a 3D model. Is a smiley face a sphere? A mask? A flat disc?
In addition to offering a behind-the-scenes look at Google’s design process, it also announced that it would be completely open-sourcing the emoji set:
We’re handing over raw .OBJ files to the community so they can use them to build immersive VR worlds, indie apps or weird memes.
Exactly what kind of “immersive VR worlds” someone might want to build with a bunch of emojis is a bit of a mystery to me. But if the Emoji Movie is any indication, it won’t be good. Google’s Noto Emoji 3D made their debut in May and were met with 😬 reactions.
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