Flock, a company that makes AI-powered license plate reader cameras used by law enforcement agencies, is facing bipartisan criticism over privacy and misuse concerns. As the largest provider of automated license plate readers, Flock has 120,000 cameras across 49 states, works with over 5,000 law enforcement agencies, and captures more than 20 billion license plate scans every month, according to Reason.
The pushback spans the political spectrum. Senator Bernie Sanders, the Vermont independent, said this month he would introduce legislation to stop "AI mass surveillance," and House Republicans led by Representative Tim Burchett have introduced a bill barring the federal government from buying Flock cameras, Decrypt reports. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has also voiced criticism, telling media at Florida International University, "I'm all about law enforcement having tools to hold criminals accountable,"1 according to Reason, before adding, "I think that's important that we do that, and no one's been stronger on law enforcement than me, but I don't want to have this become a surveillance state."1
The scrutiny follows documented cases of misuse. A Washington Post investigation published on August 19 found at least 69 police officials accused, charged or convicted of misusing Flock or similar plate readers, Decrypt notes. Flock's CEO, Garrett Langley, has responded to the growing backlash by calling on Americans to compromise on privacy.
For more on how outlets frame this differently, including the political coalition angle, the CEO's response, and questions about whether banning Flock alone addresses broader surveillance concerns, see the framing comparison below.
