School buses could soon carry cameras that read license plates, a plan revealed by leaked documents from Bus Patrol. The firm, which currently mounts stop‑arm cameras on buses, says it will deploy 40,000 units across 24 states, with 30 states already permitting the devices. The shift moves the tech from illegal‑pass detection to constant data capture.

Bus Patrol’s cameras use AI to review images automatically and forward them to police. Critics argue the devices fail to improve safety, yet the system has generated tens of millions in revenue for operators. Civil‑rights groups warn that unregulated automatic plate readers amount to unconstitutional mass surveillance, echoing concerns raised by the ACLU for people.

404media uncovered the plan in a Tuesday report, noting that Bus Patrol intends to transform its stop‑arm cameras into continuous plate readers. The firm has already tested the system on a single school bus and plans to roll out 100 cameras by month’s end, driven by an investor seeking new revenue streams for schools nationwide.

These devices would join an already dense surveillance net that can track movements by reading plates or electronic signatures. Since the data is gathered without warrants, law‑enforcement agencies can deploy it freely, violating privacy norms. The move signals a broader trend of commercial surveillance tools crossing into unregulated public spaces for students and families everywhere.