Bipartisan Backlash Grows Over Flock Safety License Plate Readers

Flock Safety's automated license plate reader (ALPR) network, deployed by law enforcement agencies across the United States, has come under bipartisan criticism from lawmakers who argue the AI-powered cameras raise Fourth Amendment privacy concerns. In Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis addressed the issue during a news conference in Miami around late August 2026, stating the technology is 'out of control' and calling on the state Legislature to pass new laws to prevent misuse, including scenarios in which law enforcement officers could illicitly track individuals using the system. DeSantis referenced a bill he had supported earlier in 2026 intended to address privacy concerns tied to Flock readers, though that legislation's specific provisions and current status were not detailed. Separately, a website called HaveIBeenFlocked compiled a searchable database reporting approximately 4.6 million license plate records drawn from roughly 242 million Flock searches, allowing individuals to check whether their plates had been tracked. In mid-August 2026, Flock Safety announced changes to its operations in response to the mounting backlash over its license plate reader network, though the specific nature of those changes was not specified in available reporting. The timeline of events spans from mid-August through late August 2026, with reporting from Associated Press, CBS News, Fox News, and Click Orlando covering different facets of the controversy. It remains unresolved what specific reforms, if any, the Florida Legislature or Congress will enact, what precise changes Flock Safety implemented, and how widespread instances of misuse by law enforcement have been. The exact content and legislative status of the bill DeSantis referenced also remains unclear from available reporting.