From Mother Jones · Chasity Hale · · 2m
Flock Cameras in Midterm Elections
Politicians across parties promise to regulate Flock surveillance cameras ahead of 2026 midterms.
In brief
Politicians across parties promise to regulate Flock surveillance cameras ahead of 2026 midterms. Over 50 municipalities have cut Flock contracts as candidates push federal ALPR regulations. Originally reported by Mother Jones.
Flock cameras deployed nationwide
Automated license plate readers like Flock Safety cameras are used by 80 percent of American police departments to trace vehicles without warrants.
“Flock has become a four-letter word”
Public backlash grows
Over 1,400 adults surveyed found 80 percent approved ALPRs for missing children or violent crimes but three-fourths disagreed with immigration enforcement use.
Flock's market dominance
Flock cameras make up about 80 percent of total mapped ALPR cameras in the US, with 120,000 units nationwide.
Local governments act
More than 50 municipalities cut ties with Flock and other ALPR vendors in the past year alone.
Senate hearing on reform
A September hearing led by Republican Josh Hawley and Democrat Dick Durbin invited Flock, Axon, Motorola, and Verkada representatives but none attended.
Stop Flock Act proposed
Missouri Republican Josh Hawley announced plans to introduce the Stop Flock Act limiting data retention to ten days and preventing third-party data sales.
Florida candidate targets Flock
Florida Democratic Senate nominee Angie Nixon proposed federal standards requiring warrants for ALPR data access and community consent before contracts.
Michigan candidate raises alarms
Michigan progressive Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed released a video about Flock and alleged links between Republican opponent Mike Rogers and surveillance state.
“Does it ever feel like you're in a cage being watched? Well, you are. By Flock cameras, thanks to Mike Rogers”
Iowa governors propose limits
Both Iowa gubernatorial candidates promised state-level ALPR regulations with Democrat Rob Sand focusing on local control and Republican Zach Lahn calling it a Fourth Amendment violation.
Arizona sheriff's warning
An Arizona sheriff stated at Hawley's Senate hearing that Flock has become a four-letter word.
“Flock has become a four-letter word”
Flock's crime claims unverified
Flock CEO Garret Langley claimed his cameras solved one million crimes in 2025, but available evidence doesn't support these numbers.
Florida bans state highway cameras
Florida's Republican governor Ron DeSantis banned Flock cameras on state highways in early September.
Community concerns grow
Over 90 percent of police departments serving more than one million residents use ALPRs, but communities feel they were never informed about the technology.
What happens next
After November's elections, bipartisan legislators could push federal ALPR regulations to address privacy concerns.
What matters most
Over 50 municipalities have cut Flock contracts as candidates push federal ALPR regulations.
