Americans are raising alarms over privacy concerns surrounding Flock cameras and other automated license plate readers (ALPRs), prompting a new bill introduced by Rep. Pat Harrigan, R-N.C., that aims to curb potential abuses. The proposed legislation would explicitly ban ALPR searches targeting political or religious messages displayed on vehicles, such as “Back the Blue,” “Jesus Saves,” or “Black Lives Matter” bumper stickers, and would require warrants for most searches, with limited exceptions for immediate threats to life or safety. Furthermore, the bill mandates that collected license plate data be deleted within 24 hours unless retained under a warrant, emergency, or court order, and crucially, it would prohibit vendors from selling or sharing this location data, including using it to train artificial intelligence models. This move comes amid growing debate over ALPR technology, with critics highlighting its potential for warrantless surveillance and tracking of citizens’ daily lives—including where they work, their children’s schools, and places of worship—while proponents argue for its necessity in criminal investigations. The bill also seeks to prevent the misuse of ALPR systems, which have reportedly been used by some officers to stalk romantic partners or exes, by allowing individuals to sue for illegal searches and preventing illegally obtained evidence from being used in court. By imposing these restrictions, Harrigan’s bill aims to strike a balance between leveraging powerful surveillance technology for crime prevention and safeguarding fundamental Fourth Amendment rights.
Adapted from: Latest Political News on Fox News
