Bernie Sanders Unveils Bill to Ban Federal Use of License Plate Readers

Sen. Bernie Sanders has introduced legislation that would restrict federal use of automatic license plate readers as scrutiny grows over how the systems track vehicles and share location data across law enforcement networks.

The Ban Flock Act would prohibit federal agencies and officials from acquiring, accessing or using automatic license plate readers, including data collected by systems operated by local police departments or private companies. Despite its name, the bill applies broadly to ALPR technology rather than specifically banning Flock Safety products.

What the Ban Flock Act would restrict

The proposal includes an exception for license plate readers used solely for toll collection. Congress could authorise other uses through future legislation. Still, those exemptions would have to specify who can access the technology, establish privacy and auditing requirements and limit data retention to no more than 48 hours.

State and local governments that continue using ALPR systems could lose certain federal grants from five departments, including Justice and Homeland Security, beginning in the first fiscal year after enactment.

Individuals affected by a federal violation could sue the federal government, while state attorneys general or other authorised state officials could bring civil actions on behalf of residents. The proposal also prohibits federal funds from being used to purchase, operate, maintain or access ALPR systems and their data, subject to its specified exceptions.

Flock faces growing scrutiny over license plate tracking

Flock is the largest ALPR vendor in the United States, according to Sanders’ office, which says the company has more than 120,000 cameras nationwide. The privately held company has also attracted substantial venture investment and was recently reported to have a valuation above $8 billion.

The technology has faced mounting scrutiny from privacy advocates and some local governments. Communities have held public protests over Flock cameras, while the Los Angeles Police Department suspended its use of Flock cameras amid privacy concerns. Other municipalities have also been ending contracts with the company.

Flock has responded by strengthening some of its privacy and oversight policies. In August, CEO Garrett Langley announced that the company’s default ALPR data retention period would fall from 30 days to seven days. Flock also introduced mandatory audit assistance designed to identify unusual searches and temporarily restrict access while questionable activity is reviewed.

The Ban Flock Act would go considerably further by establishing federal restrictions on ALPR technology regardless of which company provides the system.