House Democrats Demand Answers Over FBI’s Planned Flock Camera Expansion

Representatives Greg Casar (D-TX) and Shontel Brown (D-OH) are demanding answers from Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel on the agency’s planned expansion of mass surveillance systems, including the controversial Flock cameras.

In a recent letter, the lawmakers demanded transparency about the FBI’s plans to obtain direct access to a nationwide network of automatic license plate readers. Both serve on the House Committee on Oversight, with Rep. Casar serving as the ranking member on the Subcommittee on Federal Law Enforcement.

The letter addresses a Request for Proposals (RFP) made by the FBI in May to acquire automatic license plate reader (ALPR) systems, including Flock and Motorola Solutions. The lawmakers argue that giving the FBI direct access to these networks would dramatically enable near-real-time surveillance of civilians.

“Americans’ privacy has already been seriously violated due to the misuse of ALPR data, raising serious concerns about expanding the use of this technology by federal law enforcement agencies,” the lawmakers wrote.

Earlier this month, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX) issued a freeze on new Flock camera permits along state roads after growing scrutiny over the technology’s privacy implications and the state’s use of the cameras. The move followed an August order blocking state agencies from funding Flock cameras.

This concern is not unique to Texas, as lawmakers across the country continue to call for transparency on how these AI-powered surveillance tools are being used.

The lawmakers note that, although these systems are intended to help law enforcement with investigations and locating vehicles involved in crimes, they can easily be used for broad surveillance and to track individuals’ movements.

“This information can be used to create a profile of individuals’ appearance and behavior and has already reportedly been used inappropriately by law enforcement,” the lawmakers wrote.

The group pointed to several cases in which law enforcement officers allegedly misused Flock data, including to track people for personal purposes and conduct searches unrelated to legitimate law-enforcement investigations.

“The American people are clearly concerned about law enforcement having access to Flock data and about government surveillance more broadly,” the lawmakers wrote.