The increasing integration of computers into automobiles has opened up a new frontier in law enforcement, where police can easily access vast amounts of data from cars to aid in criminal investigations. This trend is exemplified by the use of technology from the Berla Corporation, a little-known vehicle forensics company, which enables law enforcement to extract data from cars, including text messages, GPS locations, emails, call histories, pictures, videos, and more. Berla’s technology has been widely adopted by police departments, including those in San Diego, San Antonio, and Anne Arundel County, Maryland.
Berla’s software allows law enforcement to search vehicle profiles, access navigation systems, and extract cell phone data transferred to cars through their infotainment centers. The Department of Homeland Security began collaborating with Berla in 2013, and its tools have been used in major investigations, including terrorism cases. However, the use of such technology raises controversial questions about privacy, especially as cars increasingly become mobile computing platforms. The issue becomes more complex as car manufacturers incorporate more computers into vehicles, turning them into data-rich environments.
One of the key concerns is the potential violation of privacy as law enforcement can access this data without a warrant, exploiting the automobile exception established by the U.S. Supreme Court nearly 100 years ago. Unlike cell phones, which enjoy constitutional protection against warrantless searches, cars are subject to a lower legal standard for searches. As technology advances and digital extraction techniques become more commonplace in law enforcement, legal scholars argue for the need for state and federal legislation to address the privacy implications of extracting data from vehicles without proper safeguards.
