Lawmakers including Senator Bernie Sanders, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Senator Jeff Merkley have introduced the Ban Flock Act, which would prohibit federal agencies from using automatic license plate readers (ALPRs) and restrict funding to state and local governments that employ these technologies. The legislation also allows citizens to sue the government for ALPR violations. This move follows investigative reporting by 404 Media revealing instances where Flock shared state information with federal immigration officials and aided law enforcement in monitoring protests, prompting concerns over privacy rights and surveillance practices.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-06,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
On Friday, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) introduced the Ban Flock Act, aimed at prohibiting federal agencies from using or accessing data collected by automated license plate reader cameras (ALPRs) made by Flock Safety. The legislation would also prevent federal grants to state and local governments that use this technology. Critics argue that Flock's widespread network of approximately 120,000 cameras infringes on privacy rights, as the company monitors vehicle movements without public consent. Flock has faced backlash over reported misuse by police departments using their data for surveillance beyond official purposes.
Written for “Ban Flock License Plate Readers” on 2026-10-06,
grounded in this article and the 3 other(s) covering the same event.
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The model judged this article politically coded and scored it -0.45, but 1 quote(s) could not be found in the article and the other 2 are attributed speech rather than the article's own narration, so the score is not published.
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Leaning score withheld for article 60150: no verified evidence · logged 2026-10-06
Multiple Democrat, Republican, and Independent lawmakers have introduced new pieces of legislation that, if passed, would dramatically curb federal agencies’ access to Flock cameras, with the lawmakers referencing reporting by 404 Media in their explanations for why the legislation is needed.
asserted
legislation → introduce → explanations
On Friday Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), and Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) announced the Ban Flock Act, which would prohibit federal agencies from using automatic license plate readers (ALPRs) and block federal funding from state and local governments that use the cameras.
asserted
that → announce → cameras
It would also let Americans sue the federal government for violation of their rights through ALPRs.
asserted
Americans → let → ALPRs
“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 said in the announcement posted to his website.
asserted
Sanders → grow → website
Flock knows.
asserted
Flock → know → ?
Flock is tracking you.
asserted
Flock → track → you
Flock is always watching.
asserted
Flock → watch → ?
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.”
asserted
handful → allow → movement
Ocasio-Cortez said, “AI-powered cameras are keeping track of our every move and weaponizing this data against working people to make record profits.
asserted
cameras → say → profits
Merkley added, “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.”
asserted
I → add → technology
Sanders’ announcement says that one reason for the legislation is Flock has shared state information with federal immigration officials.
asserted
Flock → say → officials
In May 2025, 404 Media revealed local cops were doing lookups in Flock for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
uncertain
cops → reveal → Immigration
After that report, Flock made dramatic changes to its product, including stopping other agencies searching cameras in Illinois, California, and Virginia.
asserted
Flock → make → Illinois
Flock said it also introduced a new tool that blocks impermissible searches in real time.
asserted
that → say → time
The announcement also said law enforcement have used Flock data to investigate protests against ICE raids and ‘No Kings’ demonstrations.
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enforcement → say → raids
404 Media revealed both of these, reporting that California cops investigated an “immigration protest” using Flock lookups, and, using data from the Electronic Frontier Foundation, that cops used Flock to monitor No Kings protests around the country.
asserted
cops → reveal → country
404 Media also recently reported Flock itself taught cops how to surveil No Kings protesters in a company webinar.
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Flock → report → webinar
Hajar Hammado, senior policy advisor at activist and progressive policy group Demand Progress, said in a press release “The Ban Flock Act is the gold standard for any legislation working to fight invasive Flock cameras on the federal level.
asserted
Act → say → 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.”
asserted
action → worm → them
Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) announced his own piece of proposed legislation late last month.
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Hawley → announce → legislation
The Stop Flock Abuse Act would require a written approval process for each search; force agencies to delete driver data after ten days, with exceptions for active investigations; and ban ALPR networks from incorporating facial recognition technology.
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Act → require → technology
During a recent senate hearing, Hawley pointed to 404 Media’s reporting specifically.
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Hawley → point → reporting
Separately, Representatives Greg Casar and Shontel Brown recently wrote to FBI Director Kash Patel asking how the agency plans to acquire nationwide access to ALPR data, Semafor reported.
asserted
Semafor → write → data
404 Media first revealed this plan in May.
uncertain
Media → reveal → May
The letter also referenced 404 Media’s reporting which revealed a cop in Texas used Flock to search ALPRs nationwide for a woman who self-administered an abortion.
asserted
who → reference → abortion
The Aporia
