Uzbekistan has implemented an extensive license plate surveillance system, featuring nearly a hundred high-resolution roadside cameras that continuously scan vehicles and their occupants. This network ties together their most densely populated areas—Tashkent—the capital, Jizzakh, Qarshi, and Namangan. It extends into rural communities, particularly in the north near the borders with Tajikistan. Even more troubling, the system automatically monitors a multitude of traffic offenses. For example, it addresses behaviors such as running red lights, not wearing seatbelts, and unlicensed driving at night.
The next-generation, 4K cameras, which can be mounted on a vehicle or fixed, record video footage and still images of vehicles that fail to obey traffic laws. We followed the operator of one of the most globalized, highly surveilled vehicles known throughout the earth for six months. On his journeys, he passed from Chirchiq, Tashkent, and Eshonguzar. This new capability sheds light on the system’s tremendous promise for more complete monitoring of vehicle movement nationwide.
Query the surveillance system using a web-based interface. Their new dashboard quickly streamlines operators’ capabilities to review incident footage of various traffic infractions. A recent discovery by security researcher Anurag Sen revealed a significant vulnerability: the system was accessible online without a password, exposing sensitive data to anyone who sought it. Sen’s findings have raised privacy and security concerns in regards to road surveillance.
“This is an entire illegal process.” – Maxvision
The company behind these surveillance systems, Maxvision, is a Shenzhen-based company that specializes in internet-connected traffic technologies. It calls itself an “intelligence traffic management system” with great pride. Maxvision has a successful history of exporting its surveillance equipment around the world. Among the countries already doing this are Burkina Faso, Kuwait, Oman, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, and Uzbekistan.
Despite the rollout of this license plate surveillance system database starting in September 2024, traffic monitoring and communication will begin as early as mid-2025. The state’s wide deployment of the cameras extends even to far-flung locales where some are visible on Google Street View. Such wide-ranging implementation, of course, begs the question of how far government should be allowed to surveil their citizens.
Uzbekistan’s computer emergency readiness team (UZCERT) failed to respond properly to notifications concerning the exposed surveillance system. This lack of action is contrary to the expectations of concerned experts. An automated reply then took his original inquiry but didn’t answer any of the substance.
“Our systems display illegal and passing information in real-time.” – Maxvision
The ramifications of implementing such a public health surveillance system are significant. Improving road safety and getting everyone to follow basic traffic laws shouldn’t be a profit center. Without strong security protections, personal privacy is at risk. Government agencies are using technology increasingly to surveil citizens. It’s important that we don’t lose sight of the need to strike an appropriate balance between public safety and individual rights.
Uzbekistan’s national license plate reading system has been recently revealed, showcasing its poor security. This is an important cautionary tale about the risks of today’s surveillance technologies. As more nations adopt similar systems, ensuring robust security protocols will be essential to safeguard sensitive information from unauthorized access.