Lawmakers Want States to Crack Down on Flock Cameras—or Pay the Price

States that rely on Flock cameras for routine traffic enforcement will need to find new systems or face reduced federal highway funding.

Two congressmen, Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) and Michael Cloud (R-TX), have introduced the No FLOCK Act, aiming to restrict the use of Flock automated license plate readers. The bill proposes that states must ban these cameras for most uses, allowing them only for enforcing tolls, identifying stolen vehicles, locating missing or endangered persons, tracking vehicles registered to individuals with felony warrants, or investigating vehicles involved in felonies. Failure to comply by October 2028 would result in states losing 10% of their federal transportation funding. This legislation follows an investigation into Flock cameras, which revealed significant oversight issues. While the bill does not impose a complete ban, it aims to prevent misuse, such as personal stalking or enforcing minor traffic violations. The proposed restrictions exclude uses like traffic studies and enforcing parking or speeding rules. This move by Congress could significantly impact states that heavily rely on Flock systems for various law enforcement and public safety functions.

This legislation signals a growing federal appetite for regulating surveillance technology, particularly automated license plate readers (ALPRs), by leveraging federal funding as a powerful incentive. By setting specific permissible use cases, Congress is attempting to draw a line between legitimate public safety needs and potential privacy infringements and civil liberties concerns. The bill's targeted approach, rather than an outright ban, suggests a pragmatic effort to balance security with privacy, acknowledging the technology's utility while addressing documented abuses.

The potential loss of significant federal transportation funds creates a strong impetus for states to re-evaluate their ALPR policies and potentially restrict or phase out systems like Flock's for non-approved uses. This could spur investment in alternative surveillance or enforcement methods and create opportunities for companies offering compliant solutions. The bill's effectiveness will depend on its passage and the Department of Transportation's enforcement, potentially reshaping the ALPR market and state-level surveillance practices nationwide.