Senator Josh Hawley investigates Flock Safety surveillance network

U.S. Senator Josh Hawley has launched an investigation into Flock Safety regarding the company’s AI-powered surveillance network. As chair of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism, Hawley sent a letter to CEO Garrett Langley demanding documentation on the collection, retention, and dissemination of data by the company’s 120,000 cameras across 49 states.

The investigation focuses on privacy concerns and the potential misuse of the system. Hawley cited instances where law enforcement officers allegedly used the database for personal reasons, such as stalking or monitoring acquaintances. He also highlighted errors in the system that have led to wrongful arrests, including a case in Florida where a woman was jailed for 13 days due to an incorrect vehicle description.

Flock Safety’s network processes more than 20 billion vehicle scans monthly. While the company states it does not use facial recognition, Hawley expressed concern that the vast amount of data collected on uninvolved citizens is being compiled into a searchable national database without explicit congressional authorization.