Pennsylvania Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro and Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis are among those calling for a ban on Flock surveillance cameras, which use AI to track license plates and other vehicle data, with Shapiro stating they're "not in the public interest". DeSantis plans to revoke permits for the cameras on state highways. The technology has been criticized by both parties due to concerns over government surveillance and potential misuse, with some pointing out it's been used to track immigrants and people seeking abortions, while others worry it could create a national gun registry. Recent polling shows that more Americans disapprove of Flock Cameras than approve of them.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-05,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event.
Why this leaning score
The article's own words the score was based on. Each is quoted
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stored, so you can find it in the original.
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I would welcome bipartisan legislation to ban these across the state
left Democratic governor advocates for banning Flock cameras
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But I don't want to have this become a surveillance state
right Republican governor expresses concern about government overreach
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Now you have to live your life with what sociologists call the third eye that is watching you
left ACLU analyst describes Flock cameras as a form of surveillance
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You cannot allow this to happen. We are creating a panopticon
right Conservative commentator warns about government overreach
Leaning score -0.35 for article 4867 (high confidence, 4 verified quotes) · logged 2026-09-05
Flock cameras draw opposition from across the political spectrum
asserted
cameras → draw → spectrum
There are plenty of issues Republicans and Democrats disagree on, but increasingly, they're aligned on this: they want Flock surveillance cameras gone.
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cameras → be → this
The widespread backlash against AI-powered license plate readers, which allow police to track people over time, is becoming more of a political issue as the midterm elections approach in races from Florida to Ohio and Wisconsin.
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elections → power → Ohio
At a press conference late last month, Pennsylvania Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro said he believes law enforcement needs public safety tools, but Flock cameras are not among them.
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cameras → say → them
"I would welcome bipartisan legislation to ban these across the state," Shapiro said.
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Shapiro → welcome → state
Earlier this week, Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis announced plans to revoke permits for license plate readers on state highways.
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DeSantis → announce → highways
"I'm all about having law enforcement have tools," DeSantis said.
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DeSantis → have → tools
"But I don't want to have this become a surveillance state."
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this → want → ?
Every month, Flock cameras capture billions of license plates, along with other vehicle data.
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cameras → capture → data
Police say this tool helps them find stolen vehicles and missing people.
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them → say → vehicles
But the technology has been abused.
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technology → abuse → ?
Officers have used it to stalk ex-partners, for instance.
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Officers → use → instance
Flock recently changed some of its features to prevent abuse.
But the concerns are proving sticky, and largely bipartisan.
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concerns → change → abuse
week, Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott froze state spending for the cameras.
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Abbott → freeze → cameras
And Senate Republicans are investigating concerns over police misuse.
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Republicans → investigate → misuse
Jay Stanley, a senior policy analyst at the ACLU, says a wide swath of people across the political spectrum opposes Flock cameras.
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swath → say → cameras
Americans have a strong distaste for government surveillance, Stanley said.
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Stanley → have → surveillance
"Now you have to live your life with what sociologists call the third eye that is watching you," he said, "and I think a lot of Americans don't want to live that way."
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lot → have → Americans
The reasons people on the left and right oppose Flock are different.
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people → oppose → Flock
Progressives have pointed out that the technology has been used to track immigrants and people seeking abortions.
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technology → point → abortions
Conservatives have warned that the cameras could be used to create a national gun registry.
uncertain
cameras → warn → registry
Others, such as conservative commentator Glenn Beck, say it's a form of government overreach.
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it → say → overreach
"You cannot allow this to happen.
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this → allow → ?
We are creating a panopticon," he said, referring to a circular prison design that allows a single guard to see all the inmates at once.
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guard → create → inmates
Many people find that unsettling, regardless of political party.
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that → find → party
Recent polling shows that more Americans now disapprove of Flock Cameras than approve of them.
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Americans → show → them
