Senator Josh Hawley introduces bill to regulate AI surveillance cameras

Senator Josh Hawley has introduced the Stop Flock Abuse Act, a legislative measure designed to establish guardrails for artificial intelligence-powered surveillance technology, specifically targeting automated license plate readers (ALPR). The bill aims to address privacy and security concerns regarding cameras produced by companies such as Flock Safety, Axon Enterprise, and Motorola Solutions.

Key provisions of the proposed legislation include a ban on surveillance networks using facial recognition technology and a prohibition on local governments selling or sharing collected vehicle data with non-governmental third parties. To prevent unauthorized or ‘rogue’ searches, the bill would require agencies to obtain written approval for searches and maintain audit logs. Additionally, the act mandates that agencies permanently delete driver data within 10 days unless the information is necessary for an active criminal investigation.