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Sen. Josh Hawley Demands Answers from Flock Safety Over Expanding National Surveillance Network and Privacy Concerns

Sen. Josh Hawley has launched an investigation into Flock Safety to determine how its rapidly expanding network of AI-powered cameras impacts American privacy. The Missouri Republican is seeking to understand who has access to the hundreds of millions of data points collected by the company's 120,000 cameras across 49 states. Hawley argued that Americans should not have to surrender their privacy rights while performing everyday routines, noting that a comprehensive, retrospective record of a person's movements is distinct from ordinary public observation. Critics, including Robert Frommer of the Institute for Justice, argue that law enforcement should be required to obtain a warrant before searching a person's past movements. While the technology is a valuable tool for solving crimes and finding missing people, several communities are beginning to pull the plug on the technology. The city of Pflugerville, Texas, and the city of Tempe, Arizona, have both ended their contracts with Flock Safety due to concerns over data sharing and potential misuse. Flock Safety spokesperson Paris Lewbel stated the company will respond to the subcommittee's questions regarding safeguards and how the technology is used to solve crimes.

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