Business
A Private Surveillance Network Built on Tow Trucks Has Scanned 9 Billion License Plates. California Courts Just Said That’s Fine
A tow truck in California is currently rolling along a residential road, with a camera mounted on its bumper, quietly taking pictures of every license plate that passes. The images are given a time stamp, location and permanent place in a database of historical plates that held over nine billion scans as recently as last year. No one who owned those plates signed for it. The database is almost unknown to them.
This is the true subject of a California Court of Appeal decision handed down July 20 in an case that, on paper, reads as a typical defeat for privacy plaintiffs. Guillermo Mata filed a lawsuit against Digital Recognition Network. The company sells the license plate tracker hardware it produces and any data generated to insurance companies, skip-tracers and repossession agents. Mata lost. In an opinion that was certified for publication by the Fourth Appellate District, it affirmed a lower court finding that Mata lacked standing because his having had his license plate scanned over fifteen times in ten years did not, on its own, constitute harm.
If you take that to be the end of the story, then you will miss the main point. It’s not really about a driver who lost a lawsuit. This is a story about how the state’s law intended to limit license plate monitoring ended up having the exact opposite effect on the private sector. It also tells the tale of an industry that tracks vehicles, which most people haven’t heard about, but was built by tow truck cameras.
California’s Automated License Plate Recognition law, which was passed in 2015 to check this type of tracking, is billed as such a measure. Anyone running a public or private network of plate scanning cameras must post an usage policy and secure data. They also have to log the access. The majority of drivers believe that a law such as this will rein in the first actor on everyone’s mind: the police. This is not the case, or at least for an industry built on companies such as DRN. The government agencies that operate these cameras networks have a legal prohibition on selling or sharing data with others, except for other government agencies. Private operators face no such limit. According to a Californian appellate panel earlier in the year, this statute gives private companies “wide leeway” to decide what to do with these data. For a commercial private network, the law which sounds like it is a privacy act, functions mainly as paperwork requirements: Post a policy and you’re already compliant.
DRN cameras are not hidden behind traffic lights or attached to patrol cars. The court records mention hardware installed on vehicles, “like tow truck or other physical infrastructure.” This means that a significant share of the nine billion-image database was created by contractors who repossess cars and drive residential streets all night long, sweeping every plate they see. As a result of the mundane task of connecting a Silverado to a tow truck, one of the nation’s largest private database of vehicle locations was created.
It is more difficult to distinguish between “government cameras” and “private cameras” than many drivers think, and this ambiguity works against the accountability of motorists. West Virginian man facing felony charges for destroying what he thought were county owned plate readers. The county might not even own the equipment. The hardware and data contracts are often held by vendors, rather than municipalities. This is similar to how DRN operated for 10 years under the policy Mata’s lawyers called meaningless.
Mata’s harm theory was not frivolous. Ses attorneys claimed that tracking, and having one’s comings and goes logged by an organization you have never dealt with is a violation of privacy. This was regardless of the fate of data. In other privacy cases, courts have accepted variations of this argument. This one is not. It was determined by the appellate panel that California’s ALPR statute draws a clear line between violating a law’s rule and suffering harm as a result of a violation. A plaintiff would have to prove both. Mata’s deposition undermined his claim: Mata never had his data breached or accessed, and his information was never connected to identity theft, stalking, or financial loss. When asked what damage he had suffered, Mata said that his privacy was “violated”. The court regarded this as a sincere belief and, in legal terms, irrelevant.
The misuse of technology is not hypothetical. The Institute for Justice reviewed more than 12 documented instances of police officers tracking romantic interest using plate-reader devices, which is exactly the type of harm that the court felt Mata’s situation lacked. A plaintiff can establish standing if they prove that the scan resulted in a stalking, identity theft or financial loss. It is not enough to be in the database 15 scans deep. This reasoning is part of a wider shift in privacy laws, as courts are becoming more skeptical about lawsuits based on the notion that a violation of a statute automatically causes harm. This has the effect of a one way door. A plaintiff cannot sue for the actual surveillance, but only what is done with it later. By the time the misuse can be proven, all the data, including the address, routines and location, have already been collected and sold to the person who paid access.
The door was closed at the same time that the police plate camera system is facing an opposite trend. After public outrage, the LAPD dropped Flock Safety’s camera network. Several small Connecticut towns also reached this conclusion in a matter of weeks. The Fourth Circuit’s pending case could change the way courts view government-run cameras networks in relation to Fourth Amendment. This is aggravated by a Supreme Court decision on cell phone location tracking. Oakland’s system generated so many stolen car alerts in one year, that Oakland had to muffle its own. It’s important to ask what the quality of control is like in a network that processes nine billion pictures for clients who pay per query.
All of this information is essential for any person who finances, owns or insures a vehicle. DRN lists as customers repossession agents who do skip-tracing, insurers that investigate claims and companies which have a legitimate commercial interest in finding specific vehicles. No warrant is required. No one needs consent. If you fall behind in your car loan payments, you may find that your payment history is already paired with a profile of where you are, created from surveillance cameras mounted on trucks which you have never seen, governed under a policy, you’ve never read and, after this decision, you will be largely unable to enforce the ruling unless you experience something even worse.
This did not require a subpoena, or even a warrant. This required a model of business: Sell the hardware, collect the exhaust and monetize patterns in people’s lives without anyone thinking to ask.
A surveillance state did not build itself, and nine billion images didn’t pile up. The images accumulated because nobody with the right to complain could show in court that being monitored had caused them any harm. The tow truck that is idling on your street in the middle of the night might not be looking for another car.
Business
Whole Foods recalls foods in 12 states over salmonella risk
Whole Foods announced on Wednesday it was recalling some produce and foods prepared with fresh jalapenos provided by Coast Citrus Distributors due to possible salmonella contamination.
Food and Drug Administration stated that the products with “Best Before” date ranges from August 7 to 16 were sold across 12 states.
According to FDA, no illnesses were reported as a result of the Whole Foods recall.
Whole Foods announced that the recall covers select salsas and prepared food, including guacamole. The FDA website has a complete list of the affected products.
As the JALAPENO SALMONELLA outbreak sickens 345, 18 PREPARED FOODS ARE UNDER ALERT.
These products are sold in Texas and Oklahoma as well as Louisiana, Wisconsin, Michigan Illinois, Iowa Missouri, Arkansas Indiana Kentucky, Ohio, Wisconsin.
Whole Foods’ spokesperson stated that the recall on Wednesday was due to jalapenos in the product, which were purchased from Coast Citrus Distributors. The products are also linked with the recall of the distributor. Taylor Fresh Foods announced a recall on Sunday that included some of the same products.
Whole Foods’ action coincides with a larger salmonella outbreak that is linked to jalapenos and has hospitalized 345 individuals in 27 states.
Before Whole Foods’ announcement, a USDA alert on public health in Sinaloa (Mexico) had identified at least 18 meat and poultry ready to eat products distributed by Coast Citrus Distributors.
Nearly 30,000 pounds of RAW beef were recalled due to a missed import inspection
Taylor Farms announced on Monday a voluntary recall of jalapenos-containing prepared foods sold in Walmart, Whole Foods and other retailers across several states due to possible salmonella contamination.
The FDA reminded consumers to return any recalled Whole Foods product they purchased or to bring their receipts to Whole Foods Market for a refund.
Federal regulators say that illnesses associated with the jalapeno epidemic began between 2026 and June 19.
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The outbreak has affected several large brands and retailers, such as Taylor Farms and Deli Kitchen. It also affects Marketside, Wawa and Albertsons.
According to officials, Chipotle Mexican Grill and QDOBA received the same jalapenos from Sinaloa.
Chipotle has switched their jalapeno suppliers at the affected restaurants beginning July 20, and will no longer serve this product. QDOBA, meanwhile, stopped serving jalapenos in all its locations as of July 28,
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Coast Citrus Distributors agreed to recall all remaining product implicated in the outbreak and will no longer import jalapenos produced by the linked grower.
Salmonellosis is caused by food contaminated with the salmonella bacteria. Symptoms include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever.
Business
Ford boosts US Lincoln production as it phases out imports from China
Ford Motor Company has plans to increase U.S. Lincoln production beginning in 2030, and stop eventually importing cars from China for its American luxury customers.
Dearborn-based Ford said that this expansion will generate direct and indirect jobs in the United States for thousands. Ford has not disclosed how much money it intends to invest, or which plants will receive additional production.
This would be a major shift in Lincoln’s U.S. line-up, which includes currently the Nautilus built in China.
The Nautilus re-designed is built at Changan Ford’s plant in Hangzhou (China) and exported to America. Ford Oakville Assembly Plant, Ontario, Canada produced the previous generation.
Regulators warn that some older Ford vehicles pose ‘unreasonable’ safety risks.
Ford has not stated whether the Nautilus will be produced in the U.S. as part of its 2030 plan, or which China imported vehicles may be affected.
Ford, and other automakers in general, continue to face higher costs as well as uncertainty due to rising tariffs and shifting global trade policies.
Ford’s most recent annual report shows that tariffs implemented in 2025 will cost the company approximately $3 billion gross, and have an impact of approximately $2 billion on its earnings, before taxes, interest, and offsets.
Ford has not said whether trade concerns or tariffs were a factor in the decision to stop importing Lincolns from China.
Ford to Use Apple Maps Software in Self-Driving Technology for New EV Platform
Lincoln produces several vehicles in the United States. The Navigator, for example, is built at Ford’s Kentucky Truck Plant, located in Louisville. Meanwhile, the Aviator, which is manufactured at the Chicago Assembly Plant, is also produced by Lincoln. The vehicles are exported to Canada, Mexico, and the Middle East.
Ford will expand its already large U.S. production footprint with the additional production. Ford said that it would assemble more than two million cars in the U.S. by 2025. This is more than any other carmaker. It also leads the auto industry for U.S. vehicle imports and autoworker hourly employment.
Ford reports that it employs 56,300 manufacturing employees in the U.S.
Ticker Changes Last Change % FORD MOTOR COMPANY 13.83 +0.15 -1.07
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Ford has not revealed many details about its expansion plan for 2030, such as which models it will produce domestically, the location of that production, and how much money Ford intends to invest.
Business
Kroger closes at least 3 dozen stores across 9 grocery banners
Kroger closed more than 30 stores after announcing last year that it would close 60 outlets by 2026 if they did not deliver “sustainable results”.
Cincinnati’s grocery giant didn’t release an official list of all stores and banners that were to be closed, but searches on the internet revealed 39 sites across nine different banners no longer in operation. Local news reports confirmed that the majority of these locations are part of a larger store revamp.
According to a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filing, as of January 2026 Kroger operated 2,697 grocery stores across 35 states, under approximately 20 different banners. These included Fred Meyer, Fry’s Food and Drugs, Harris Teeter and Jay C. Other brands include King Soopers and Mariano’s.
According to FOX26 Houston, the company stated that the closures were intended to “run our business more efficiently” and to ensure its long-term success. Two Houston area locations are scheduled to close by April.
In a $1.65 billion deal, KROGER will buy a popular grocery and pharmacy retailer.
Kroger, the national grocery retailer, announced last month that it would acquire Giant Eagle, a regional supermarket chain, for $1.65 Billion. This acquisition will add 197 additional stores and 11 independent pharmacies in northern Ohio, Western Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Indiana.
This acquisition will strengthen Kroger’s position in several Midwestern markets and Mid-Atlantic regions.
As part of Kroger’s consolidation efforts, at least three impacted stores were replaced or will be by Kroger Marketplaces. Kroger Marketplace is a larger format store that offers a wider selection of merchandise other than groceries, such as clothing, furniture, toys and homewares.
These locations are affected:
Kroger
Atlanta, Georgia — 2452 Morosgo Way NE
Brookhaven Georgia — 3855 Buford Highway NE
Decatur, Georgia – 3479 Memorial Dr.
Alpharetta, Georgia — 11877 Douglas Rd.
Peoria, Illinois — 3311 N Sterling Ave.
South Bend (Indiana) — 4526 West Western Ave.
Elkhart, Indiana — 901 Johnson St.
Louisville, Kentucky — 4211 S 3rd St.
Bossier City, Louisiana — 4100 Barksdale Blvd
Kingsport Tennessee — 1664 E Stone Dr.
Houston Texas – 239 West 20th St.
Houston, Texas — 9325 Katy Fwy.
Houston, Texas — 2300 Gessner Rd.
McKinney (Texas) — 2901 Lake Forest Drive
Spring, Texas — Farm to Market 6060 2920
Charlottesville, Virginia — 1904 Emmet St. N
Abingdon, Virginia — 466 Cummings St.
Gassaway West Virginia — 2908 State St.
South Charleston, West Virginia – 5 River Walk Mall (3060 Ray Park Boulevard) (consolidated in June last year into the new Kroger Marketplace).
Dunbar, West Virginia – 981 Dunbar Village
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Fred Meyer
Tacoma (Washington) — 7250 Pacific Ave.
Fry’s Food and Drug
Mesa, Arizona — 1915 S Power Rd.
Harris Teeter
Arlington, Virginia — 950 S George Mason Dr.
Arlington, Virginia – 3600 S Glebe Rd. W100
McLean, Virginia — 8200 Crestwood Heights Dr.
Rockville, Maryland – 11845 Old Georgetown Rd.
Raleigh, North Carolina — 5563 Western Blvd., Suite 6A
Charlotte, North Carolina — 5706 Wyalong Dr.
Ticker Security Changed Last % KR KROGER 56.06 +0.19 –0.34%
Jay C Food Stores
Shoals, Indiana – 201 High St.
King Soopers
Centennial, Colorado — 5050 E Arapahoe Rd.
Mariano’s
Buffalo Grove, Illinois — 450 W Half Day Rd.
Northbrook, Illinois — 2323 Capital Dr.
Bloomingdale Illinois — 144 S Gary Ave.
Choose & Save
Glendale Wisconsin – 1735 West Silver Spring Dr.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin — 3701 S 27th St.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin — 2355 N 35th St.
Oak Creek, Wisconsin — 2320 W Ryan Rd.
South Milwaukee, Wisconsin — 2931 S Chicago Ave.
QFC
Mill Creek — 926 164th St. SE
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FOX Business contacted Kroger to get more information.
Business
Bill Gates’ Daughter Knew For Months That Her App Claimed Sales It Didn’t Drive, Report Claims
Bloomberg published an investigation last month that claimed Phia was a startup founded by Phoebe Gates, daughter of billionaire Microsoft founder Bill Gates, and Sophia Kianni who is her Stanford roommate. They were engaging in unethical online practices.
According to the report, the web extension of this startup, which claims it can find better deals and discounts for online shoppers via cookie stuffing (which is against digital platform policies), had falsely claimed sales that were not generated.
It makes money from the retailers who pay it a commission for each sale it facilitates. To verify this, it drops a cookie in the browser of every shopper when they make a purchase that involves its extension. Bloomberg, Ben Edelman and Capital One Shopping, a rival company, claim to have conducted independent testing that found Phia’s app opens an unnoticed background tab in order to insert its affiliate code. This overrides other referrals so as to receive the commission. PayPal’s Honey was also accused of similar accusations in 2024. This led to a lawsuit filed by a group.
Phia’s representatives described the bug as such on July 8, telling Bloomberg the problem was only discovered “within 24 hours”. But a Bloomberg investigation has found that Phia executives and in particular Phoebe Gates were aware of this situation for at least 7 months prior to the publication of that report. They also actively encouraged the addition of these features.
Bloomberg reports that this issue is not a bug, but a controllable internal feature called “enable coupons auto drop”. Bloomberg cites anonymous Slack sources and internal Slack conversations to claim that Gates was in a Slack discussion with staffers back in December, and wanted to confirm that Phia dropped cookies across all websites even if a shopper didn’t use their coupon.
Reports also claim that Phia used other controversial practices. One feature included dropping cookies automatically every 2 hours for users who had interacted with Phia’s extension when visiting a “top 1000 websites.”
According to the internal communications presented by Bloomberg, an engineer tried telling co-founder Kianni that the practice could be “against compliance,” but Kianni allegedly responded with a Slack message saying: “I guess we could say that the user is trying to open us and roll it back if they complain.” Bloomberg reported that an engineer had tried to warn co-founder Kianni about the potential for the practice to be “against the law.” Kianni responded by sending a Slack chat message saying, “I suppose we could say the user was trying to open us, and roll it all back if the complainant.”
Kianni then responded with, “That’s great yeah whatever you can do to make these cookies keep falling will be awesome thank you.”
According to the report, after “coupon automatic drop” was disabled, Phia’s revenues plummeted from $80,000 down to $10,000-$28,000. This is based on an internal revenue chart.
Phia has denied all allegations made by Bloomberg. They also claimed that their revenue drop last month is solely the result of the reversed cookie stuffing. The company also hired a compliance head “to ensure that something similar never occurs again.”
Business
Some Claude users are mad that Anthropic’s new watermarks will catch them using it at their jobs, classes
The company has decided to add a watermark (invisible code) into the text of the bot’s chatbot, which marks the output as AI generated.
This new policy was implemented by Anthropic to comply with the EU AI Act Transparency Code. The code requires that tech companies label AI-generated content or edits in a way computer systems can identify. While European regulators are happy with the new policy, AI users may not be.
Reddit is a great place to see the growing discontent. However, other users on the website aren’t in agreement. A user called visionode posted a post that was incredibly dramatic. His account has only been active for three weeks. Visionode claims that the watermarking scheme is an evil conspiracy to harm innocent chatbot users around the world.
Visionode appears to believe that while savvy Claude-users may be able to hide their AI usage through paraphrasing and other AI cleaning services, average Claude users will get caught.
Who will be caught? You. You. The journalist that asked the AI for a summary of a 200-page transcript. Writer who was stuck for words and requested synonyms. They come out with digital tattoos on their foreheads.”
It would be wrong of me to minimize visionode’s outrage. But those examples aren’t the most effective. If a journalist asks AI to sum up a 200-page transcript, they won’t care if there is a watermark on the summary unless that person copies and pastes it verbatim in their article. That is unethical.
The same is true for a student that copies and pastes Claude’s work into an essay, after having asked it to “reorganize a sentence.”
Redditors did not support the outrage of this poster.
One poster simply commented, “Get your hands on this guy.”
One person asked another to “take a deep breath”.
Visionode was not the only person to complain. One unhappy customer called the watermarks ‘unethical’ and a scumbag. They also claimed that Claude had already done most of the hard work. According to them, Claude was just a tool that aided their laborious work.
I gave the instructions and context. Claude did the rest. The poster asked: “If Claude watermarks the code, or any other thing it produces, for what is it claiming to be responsible?”
The critic was slammed by other users.
One user replied, “It isn’t claiming any credit.” It’s all about detecting AI-generated outputs due to the potential risks AI-generated outputs may cause.
Another joked, “Bro could not even write a complaint about Claude if Claude was not used to do it.”
Some critics avoided the narrative of victimhood and used slightly nuanced arguments to oppose Anthropic’s new policy.
One poster, for example, complained about the hypocrisy of watermarking a product editorial that had been created by stealing other people’s ideas. The user said, “I find it a sinister move.” I don’t write with Claude, but an AI watermarking your work seems a bit ironic considering how the Frontier models got their data.
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