Lawmakers Express Bipartisan Concerns Over AI-Powered License Plate Cameras, Citing Privacy Risks
Lawmakers from both Republican and Democratic parties are raising alarms over the proliferation and increasing sophistication of AI-powered automatic license plate reader (ALPR) cameras, particularly those from companies like Flock Safety. Concerns center on privacy violations and the potential for these devices to create a mass surveillance state. Representative Greg Steube (R-Fla.) stated that law enforcement monitoring citizens' movements is wrong, likening it to an 'Orwellian society.' He cited an incident in his district where a former Sarasota police officer was fired for misusing Flock camera technology to spy on a single license plate over 300 times. Representative Keith Self (R-Texas) highlighted that AI has advanced these cameras beyond simple license plate reading, enabling facial recognition and interior vehicle monitoring. Representative Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.) criticized private tech companies for profiting from mass surveillance, calling it a threat to democracy and civil liberties. Several l... 
