Wisconsin gubernatorial candidates want restrictions on the cameras; Pennsylvania candidates have backed a ban, while politicians in Michigan and Florida are also campaigning against them. Police defend the technology as a valuable crime-fighting tool, but critics argue its widespread use amounts to unconstitutional warrantless surveillance. Atlanta-based Flock Safety says its cameras operate in 6,000 communities across every state except Alaska, turning the technology into a growing political issue amid broader concerns about artificial intelligence and Big Tech.
"We’ve seen candidates running on banning them, cutting off funding, or requiring warrants," said Michael Soyfer, an attorney for the Institute for Justice, which is litigating over the technology. Flock defended its system, saying it has helped solve about 1 million crimes and reunite roughly 10,000 missing people with their families. "We ask anyone weighing in on this issue to engage with the facts and the record," company spokesperson MoMo Zhou said, arguing against banning what she described as a critical public safety tool.
Flock Safety is facing a growing political backlash as awareness of its sprawling license plate surveillance network increases and legal challenges raise questions about privacy and constitutional rights. Investigative reports have also documented cases in which law enforcement officers allegedly misused the technology to track personal contacts. In Texas, Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico declared that "Flock cameras have no place in Texas," while in Pennsylvania both Democratic Gov.
Josh Shapiro and Republican challenger Stacy Garrity have backed a statewide ban. Wisconsin's gubernatorial candidates have also targeted the technology. Democrat David Crowley, who restricted Flock camera use as Milwaukee County executive, has promised tougher transparency and accountability rules.
Republican Tom Tiffany said he would freeze state funding and establish a task force to strengthen privacy protections and restrict data retention and sharing. Dan McKee temporarily halted new camera installations ahead of the state's Sept. 9 primary, citing privacy and transparency concerns. Democratic challenger Helena Foulkes questioned the timing but agreed that data practices should be reviewed.
In Michigan, Democratic congressional candidate William Lawrence called the technology "the most un-American thing I can imagine." His Republican opponent, Rep. Tom Barrett, is co-sponsoring legislation that would restrict federal use of Flock and prevent state and local governments from using federal funds to purchase the technology. Florida has also joined the backlash.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
