Senate Hearing on Flock Cameras

This Senate Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism hearing, held on September 23, 2026, focused on the widespread use and implications of Flock Safety's AI-powered license plate reader (ALPR) surveillance network. The discussion centered on the procurement and deployment of over 120,000 cameras across 49 states, capturing 20 billion images monthly, and the privacy, constitutional, and security concerns arising from this technology. Witnesses, including a falsely accused citizen, legal experts, a sheriff who terminated his department's contract with Flock, and cybersecurity researchers, testified about the risks of mass surveillance, data misuse, lack of oversight, and vulnerabilities to hacking. The hearing highlighted the absence of federal regulation governing ALPR data collection and retention, the role of private companies in managing surveillance data, and the need for legislative action to impose warrant requirements and privacy protections. No direct contract awards or procurement decisions were made during the hearing, but the testimony underscored the potential impact of current and future procurement policies on surveillance technology use and vendor accountability.