Ban Flock Act would prohibit federal agencies from using license plate recognition cameras
Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Jeff Merkley introduced the Ban Flock Act. It would ban federal use of ALPR systems, block federal funding for state and local governments using these cameras, and allow lawsuits over rights violations. It is a bill, not an enacted law.
US lawmakers Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Jeff Merkley introduced the Ban Flock Act. The bill would prohibit federal agencies from using automatic license plate recognition systems, known as ALPR. It would also block federal funding for state and local governments that use these cameras.
The bill would also allow Americans to sue the federal government for violations of their rights through the use of ALPR. Its sponsors cite concerns about surveillance of the public and point to reporting by 404 Media. The outlet described searches conducted by local police in the Flock system for the immigration agency ICE, as well as the use of data in investigations of protests against ICE enforcement actions and No Kings demonstrations. The measures described are part of a bill, not an enacted law.
Why it matters
The bill links restrictions on vehicle surveillance to federal funding: its passage would also affect state and local governments that use ALPR cameras. For public authorities, it would therefore involve both rules on access to data and conditions for receiving federal funds.
Relevant practical impact
What this means
For individuals
For individuals in the USA, the bill would provide a way to seek protection of their rights by suing the federal government over its use of ALPR. Introducing the bill does not, however, establish that option.
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Event sources
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