Drivers and taxpayers can examine two new bills and a congressional inquiry that would limit government use of Flock automatic license plate readers, restrict data searches and retention, and potentially block federal funding for agencies that use the cameras. The proposals respond to reports about Flock searches, sharing and law-enforcement surveillance, while the bills remain subject to approval.
What would the Ban Flock Act change?
Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon announced the Ban Flock Act on Friday. If passed, the proposal would prohibit federal agencies from using automatic license plate readers.
The bill would also block federal funding to state and local governments that use the cameras. It would further allow Americans to sue the federal government over violations of their rights through ALPR use.
In the announcement posted to his website, Sanders said, “At a time of growing concern about the unchecked power of artificial intelligence, Flock is eviscerating the very notion of privacy by installing tens of thousands of cameras in communities across America without their consent.”
Sanders also said, “Going to the doctor? Flock knows. Dropping your kid off at school? Flock is tracking you. Flock is always watching. We cannot allow America to become a surveillance state where a handful of AI oligarchs profit by giving the government the power to track our every movement.”
Ocasio-Cortez said in the announcement, “AI-powered cameras are keeping track of our every move and weaponizing this data against working people to make record profits. The widespread integration of this technology into American society is unconscionable.”
Merkley said, “No one should have this unchecked surveillance power at their fingertips, which is why I’m teaming up with Senator Sanders to rein in this dangerous technology.”
Which searches and surveillance practices prompted the legislation?
The announcement cited reports that Flock has shared state information with federal immigration officials. In May 2025, 404 Media reported that local police officers were conducting lookups in Flock for Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
After that report, Flock changed parts of its product. The company stopped other agencies from searching cameras in Illinois, California and Virginia. Flock also introduced a tool intended to block impermissible searches in real time.
The legislation also cited law-enforcement uses of Flock data to investigate protests against ICE raids and “No Kings” demonstrations. The cited reporting said California police investigated an immigration protest through Flock lookups, while other police departments used Flock to monitor “No Kings” protests around the country.
Another cited report said Flock taught police officers how to surveil “No Kings” protesters during a company webinar. The lawmakers cited this reporting as part of their explanation for introducing broader restrictions.
Hajar Hammado said, “The Ban Flock Act is the gold standard for any legislation working to fight invasive Flock cameras on the federal level. Flock and other ALPR companies have wormed their way into communities across the nation and drastic, all-encompassing action is needed to root them out.”
The quote above is attributed in the source to Hajar Hammado, senior policy advisor at Demand Progress, who called for broader action against Flock cameras and other ALPR companies.
What would the Stop Flock Abuse Act require?
Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri announced the Stop Flock Abuse Act late last month. His proposal would require written approval for each search of automatic license plate reader data.
The bill would require agencies to delete driver data after ten days, with exceptions for active investigations. It would also prohibit ALPR networks from incorporating facial recognition technology.
Hawley referenced the same reporting during a recent Senate hearing. His bill offers a different approach from the Ban Flock Act because it focuses on search authorization, data retention and facial recognition rather than a broad federal prohibition and funding restriction.
What is the FBI’s nationwide ALPR data plan?
Representatives Greg Casar and Shontel Brown wrote to FBI Director Kash Patel to ask how the agency planned to acquire nationwide access to automatic license plate reader data.
The letter also referenced reporting that a Texas police officer used Flock to search automatic license plate reader records nationwide for a woman who had self-administered an abortion. The source attributes the information about the FBI plan to Semafor and 404 Media.
The three responses therefore address different parts of the ALPR system. The Ban Flock Act would restrict federal agency access and funding. The Stop Flock Abuse Act would add procedures and retention rules. The congressional inquiry concerns the possibility of nationwide data access by the FBI.
Who runs the Flock program and what do the proposals cover?
Flock operates the camera network discussed in the legislation. The proposals address government access and use, but the source does not provide a complete description of the camera network’s ownership, funding or operational structure.
The source names public officials who introduced the proposals or asked about them.
- Senator Bernie Sanders, an Independent from Vermont, announced the Ban Flock Act with Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a Democrat from New York, and Senator Jeff Merkley, a Democrat from Oregon.
- Senator Josh Hawley, a Republican from Missouri, announced the Stop Flock Abuse Act.
- Representatives Greg Casar and Shontel Brown asked FBI Director Kash Patel about plans to acquire nationwide ALPR data.
- Hajar Hammado, senior policy advisor at Demand Progress, issued a press statement supporting broader action against Flock cameras and other ALPR companies.
What to do now
- Review the text of the Ban Flock Act and the Stop Flock Abuse Act when it is formally introduced or placed on legislative calendars, because the source announcement does not provide bill numbers or full legislative text.
- Pay attention to whether your state or local agency uses Flock cameras, since the Ban Flock Act may block federal funding to governments that use the cameras.
- Ask local officials how many Flock cameras operate in your area, whether agencies search them, who may approve a search and whether driver data is deleted.
- Track whether state or local agencies search Flock systems for immigration enforcement, protest investigations or other law-enforcement purposes.
- Follow the congressional inquiry into whether the FBI plans to obtain nationwide access to ALPR data, including the response from the agency.
FAQ
What is the Ban Flock Act?
The Ban Flock Act is a proposal announced by Senator Bernie Sanders, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Jeff Merkley. It would prohibit federal agencies from using automatic license plate readers, block federal funding to state and local governments that use the cameras, and allow Americans to sue the federal government over rights violations involving ALPRs.
What is the Stop Flock Abuse Act?
The Stop Flock Abuse Act is a proposal announced by Senator Josh Hawley. It would require written approval for each search, require agencies to delete driver data after ten days except in active investigations, and ban ALPR networks from incorporating facial recognition technology.
What does the Ban Flock Act say about federal funding?
The Ban Flock Act would block federal funding to state and local governments that use automatic license plate readers. The proposal was announced by Sanders, Ocasio-Cortez and Merkley.