Representative Rashida Tlaib, a Michigan Democrat, has introduced the Get the Flock Out of Our Communities Act, a bill that would prohibit federal money from supporting automated mass surveillance systems, including automatic license plate readers, biometric surveillance and facial recognition technology.
The proposal goes beyond blocking new purchases. Systems bought with federal funds would have to be removed within 30 days of enactment, while certain prohibited surveillance data would have to be permanently deleted within seven days.
The congresswoman's legislation arrives amid growing scrutiny of Flock Safety and other automated license plate reader systems over privacy, data sharing and reported misuse, while supporters argue the cameras are valuable crime-fighting tools.
Newsweek contacted Tlaib's office and Flock Safety via email for comment on Sunday.
Why It Matters
Automated license plate readers have expanded into a nationwide law-enforcement tool, bringing a debate over whether their investigative value outweighs the privacy implications of creating searchable records of where vehicles travel.
Congressional scrutiny has accelerated as lawmakers from both parties propose different approaches to limiting or regulating the technology.
What Tlaib's Bill Would Do
Tlaib introduced the bill alongside Representatives Sylvia Garcia of Texas, Summer Lee of Pennsylvania, Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, Delia Ramirez of Illinois, Nydia Velázquez of New York and Bonnie Watson Coleman of New Jersey. It has been referred to the House committees on Oversight and Government Reform and the Judiciary.
The legislation defines an "automated mass surveillance system" broadly as automated technology that collects, processes, analyzes, generates, retains, uses or stores information about an indefinite or large number of people.
Federal money could no longer be used to purchase, install, maintain, access, lease or operate covered technology. Automatic license plate readers, biometric surveillance and facial recognition systems are expressly included.
Federal agencies and officials would also be prohibited from acquiring, possessing, accessing, soliciting or using covered systems or the information derived from them.
During a press conference on Wednesday, the congresswoman said she’s concerned about the suppression of free speech and the possible invasion of privacy.
“That technology and that infrastructure stays no matter who’s the mayor, no matter who’s on council, no matter who’s the president, you understand? So that gets to be misused by whoever comes in and, it may be changed in the use of it, but the point is it’s not just cameras,” Tlaib said, Michigan Public Radio reported. "I can’t sign these contracts, right? But I can basically be able to control what law enforcement agencies can use federal funds for, and that’s what we do in this bill.”
...
For equipment already purchased or operated with federal money, the legislation calls for removal within 30 days after enactment. Covered surveillance data barred by the legislation would have to be permanently deleted within seven days, while data obtained in violation of the measure could not be admitted in a court or administrative proceeding.
There is also a financial lever aimed at state and local governments. Applicants for certain Byrne and Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grants would have to certify that they and law-enforcement agencies receiving their funds do not maintain, access, lease or operate automated mass-surveillance technology or information derived from it.
According to the Department of Justice, Byrne grants provide funds to state and local governments "to improve the functioning of the criminal justice system, with emphasis on drugs, violent crime and serious offenders."
COPS grants, meanwhile, are provided to policing agencies "to add police officers or sheriff's deputies to America's neighborhood streets and advance community policing nationwide, with emphasis on reducing levels of violence, the fear
of crime and social disorder through problem solving tactics and community-policing partnerships."
Why Flock Cameras Have Become Controversial
Flock Safety's automated license plate readers photograph passing vehicles and create searchable records that can help investigators identify vehicles. According to its website, Flock says its technology helps law enforcement recover stolen vehicles and investigate crimes more quickly.
Recent controversy, however, has focused on access to that data and the potential for abuse. Politico reported in August that more than 50 cities and counties had canceled or deactivated automated license plate-recognition cameras in 2026, while reports of officers using such technology to monitor people they knew personally have intensified scrutiny.
Flock has responded by tightening some safeguards. CEO Garrett Langley announced in August that customers would be required to activate a system designed to flag abnormal searches for review. The company also moved its default license-plate-data retention period from 30 days to seven.
...
Questions over immigration enforcement have added another layer to the dispute.
Flock says it does not work with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), that sharing with federal agencies is disabled by default and that customers control whether their data is shared. The company acknowledges past pilot projects with several federal agencies, but says those projects have ended.
In a statement reported by Michigan Public Radio, Flock defended the technology as an important public-safety tool and said it supports legislation creating strong privacy, transparency and accountability safeguards while preserving responsible law enforcement use.
Congress Is Considering Other Flock Bills
Tlaib's proposal is part of a wider congressional push cutting across party lines.
Republican Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky introduced the Flock-Off Act on September 2. The bill would prohibit federal funds from being spent directly or indirectly to buy, lease, install, operate or maintain covered camera systems and associated services.
Republican Representative Greg Steube of Florida followed on September 24 with the Facilitating Liberty and Accountability for Flock Observations Act, or FLAFO Act. His proposal targets governmental use of automated license plate reader surveillance and cites Fourth Amendment concerns about large-scale collection of vehicle-location information.
Then, on October 1, Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York introduced the Ban Flock Act. That legislation would prohibit federal use of automatic license plate readers without explicit statutory authorization, restrict federal funding for the technology and tie certain grants to state and local restrictions.
Taken together, the proposals show that concern about automated license plate readers is coming from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, even as they differ over exactly how far federal restrictions should go.
What Happens Next
The Get the Flock Out of Our Communities Act remains at the introduced stage and has been referred to two House committees. It would need to advance through Congress and be signed by President Donald Trump before its restrictions could take effect.
Newsweek’s reporters and editors used Martyn, our AI assistant, to produce this story. Learn more about Martyn here. Contact Newsweek editors for this story: Anthony Murray and Ben Kelly.