Washington, D.C. — On Thursday, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee voted to reject an amendment to the highway bill that would block federal funding for states and municipalities that utilize automated license plate tracking systems, with Rep. Rick Larsen (D-WA) casting a key vote against the amendment. Companies like Flock Safety have been using AI-powered cameras to collect license plate data, vehicle descriptions and a driver’s location, which can be accessed by the government and law enforcement without a warrant. The amendment, offered by Reps. Scott Perry (R-PA) and Jesús “Chuy” García (D-IL), would have prevented states and cities from receiving federal funds if they use these cameras for reasons other than tolling. On Wednesday, Demand Progress and a coalition of more than 40 civil society organizations sent a letter asking the committee to support the amendment.
The following is a statement from Demand Progress Executive Director Sean Vitka:
“It’s disgraceful that Rick Larsen and other members of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee voted to prioritize Flock’s corporate profits over the privacy of the American people. They are on the wrong side of public opinion and history. Dozens of cities across the country have already banned Flock cameras because they are regularly misused to spy on innocent people, riddled with security flaws and Americans don’t want to be warrantlessly surveilled just for being on the road. There is a growing, bipartisan movement fighting against a very real, mass surveillance dystopia where private companies are placing AI-powered cameras on every corner. Surveillance state enablers in Congress like Rick Larsen need to stop putting Flock above the people.”