Lawmakers have introduced a bill to restrict the use of automatic license plate readers (ALPRs) by federal agencies, aiming to curb their deployment across the country. The proposed legislation, called the Ban Flock Act, would not only ban federal agencies from using the technology but also halt grant funding to state and local governments that maintain contracts with ALPR providers. Supporters argue the move is necessary to address privacy concerns and potential misuse of the surveillance tools. The bill marks a significant step in the ongoing debate over balancing public safety with individual privacy rights.
Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) unveiled legislation Friday to ban federal agencies from using automatic license plate readers (ALPRs). The bill, titled the Ban Flock Act, would both prohibit federal agencies from ALPR usages and pause federal grant funding to state and local governments with ALPR contracts....
