Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky introduced legislation Thursday that would cut off federal funding for automated license plate readers (ALPRs) and biometric surveillance cameras used by local law enforcement. The measure, dubbed the Flock Off Act, takes direct aim at the expanding network of surveillance technology that privacy advocates say is eroding civil liberties.
The bill prohibits the use of federal dollars to purchase, install, maintain, operate, or upgrade such systems, and would require recipients to reimburse the Treasury for any funds already spent on them. The restriction covers contracts, subscriptions, licenses, data-sharing agreements, and other arrangements with companies in the surveillance sector, including but not limited to Flock Safety, a major ALPR provider.
Massie framed the bill as a taxpayer protection measure. "The Flock Off Act withholds federal money from municipalities and police departments that deploy Flock cameras to surveil law-abiding citizens. Federal taxpayers should not be forced to fund the surveillance state," he said in a press release. He added that the federal government should not provide 'security' grants to cities that have "turned their communities into a version of 1984."
The legislation includes two notable exceptions: it allows federal funds for ALPRs and biometric cameras within one mile of the northern and southern borders for detecting unlawful entry, human trafficking, and drug smuggling, and it permits cameras used solely for toll collection and enforcement.
The bill comes amid growing scrutiny of Flock Safety, which has faced lawsuits and contract cancellations over privacy violations. According to the anti-surveillance group DeFlock, more than 150 cities have moved to cancel or reject contracts with the company. Recent reports highlight that some municipalities, like Dallas and Tempe, have already pulled back on Flock cameras due to privacy concerns.
Flock Safety responded to the bill, arguing that cutting off federal funds would harm public safety. "Withholding federal funding from the thousands of police departments that rely on license plate reader technology would have real consequences for public safety," the company said. It urged Congress to adopt clear safeguards instead of a ban, stating, "We do not have to choose between protecting privacy and giving law enforcement the tools it needs to keep communities safe."
The bill also targets Axon, another surveillance company that produces car-mounted cameras capable of creating "vehicle signatures" by recording license plates and other identifying details. Axon has not yet commented on the legislation.
Massie's move aligns with his broader privacy advocacy, as he has also pushed for transparency on other surveillance issues. The Flock Off Act is likely to face opposition from law enforcement groups and industry lobbyists, but it underscores a growing bipartisan concern over the proliferation of surveillance technology.
