What Happened?

More than 120,000 automatic license plate readers across 49 states are at the center of a Senate investigation into data privacy and potential misuse. Sen. Josh Hawley( launched the investigation into Flock Safety’s national surveillance network and questioned the location data collected and shared through it. The Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism scheduled a Sept. 23 hearing titled “Always Watching: Flock’s Nationwide AI Surveillance Network.” The hearing will examine location-data collection and sharing, access across law-enforcement agencies, and safeguards intended to prevent misuse. [](#ngr-3b772f2b-0646-413b-8605-abbedc3fcc9b)

Why Does it Matter to Me?

The investigation concerns how Flock collects, retains and disseminates data generated by its cameras, including information tied to vehicle locations. Flock reduced its recommended default data-retention period from 30 days to seven days, a change that limits the standard storage period for new law-enforcement customers. Existing Flock customers may retain their previously approved retention periods, so the seven-day default does not automatically apply to every agency already using the system. Flock also says its Audit Assistance tool detects abnormal activity, flags it for administrator review, and can work with proactive lockouts that suspend access under defined criteria.

Both Sides, Now

Hawley’s investigation is focused on data privacy, potential misuse, and the scope of location information collected and shared through Flock’s network. Flock says its customers control access to their data, its searches are auditable, and its safeguards are designed to identify potential misuse. According to WIRED, Flock’s Audit Assistance tool scans an agency’s searches for suspicious patterns and became available in April as an optional feature. Hawley chairs the hearing, while Sen. Dick Durbin (D-is the ranking member, giving the Senate subcommittee a role in questioning the network and reviewing the company’s safeguards.

What Happens Next?

Hawley requested documents and information specified in an attached annex by Sept. 8 as part of the investigation. The investigation expanded in September to Motorola Solutions, Verkada and Axon Enterprise, which received requests about data from AI surveillance cameras.

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This article was generated by AI pulling from data. Each article is edited by an editor for accuracy and clarity.

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