Bernie Sanders, AOC, and Jeff Merkley Are Introducing the Ban Flock Act
2 hours ago
- Sen. Bernie Sanders, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Sen. Jeff Merkley introduced the Ban Flock Act to stop AI-powered surveillance cameras.
- The act would prohibit federal agencies from using automatic license plate readers (ALPRs) and block federal funding to state and local governments that use this technology.
- Critics argue Flock's cameras violate privacy by tracking individuals' movements without consent, collecting data on 20 billion vehicles monthly with over 120,000 cameras nationwide.
- Flock's AI can combine vehicle images with personal data like phone numbers, relatives, and court records, enabling mass surveillance and a national lookup tool.
- Misuse incidents include sharing data with immigration officials, tracking activists, and officers using plate readers to monitor individuals without consent.
- At least 56 municipalities have deactivated or rejected Flock contracts this year, prompting calls for congressional action.
- The Ban Flock Act would also allow Americans to sue the federal government for rights violations involving automatic license plate readers.