Gov't cancels plan to collect license plate data

The Homeland Security Department has abruptly reversed course on plans to allow a private company to give it access to a nationwide database of license plate tracking information.

The department says new Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson ordered that the contract proposal be canceled.

The proposal said Immigration and Customs Enforcement was going to use the license plate data in pursuit of criminal immigrants and other sought by authorities.

Homeland Security says the contract notice was posted without "the awareness of ICE leadership." Johnson is ordering a review of the original proposal.