Congressman Thomas Massie Sponsors Bill to Restrict Federal Funding for Flock Camera Systems Amid Privacy Concerns
Republican Congressman Thomas Massie of Kentucky, alongside Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna, is sponsoring a bill aimed at restricting federal funding for Flock camera systems. These systems, primarily automated license plate readers (ALPRs), are described by Massie as tools designed to surveil law-abiding citizens. The move comes as communities nationwide are pushing back against the widespread implementation of ALPRs, with 83% of these systems installed by Flock Safety. The small town of Groton, Massachusetts, recently terminated its contract with Flock Safety, deactivating its three ALPR cameras due to community concerns regarding trust and transparency. Investigations have revealed that Flock's technology, despite company claims, now possesses advanced capabilities to identify and track individuals, examine vehicle details like bumper stickers, and access public and business data through AI integration. This evolution has transformed ALPRs from simple license plate readers into comprehensive surveilla...