Senate Subcommittee Investigates AI Surveillance and Flock Safety Cameras

The Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism will hold a hearing on September 23 titled "Always Watching: Flock’s Nationwide AI Surveillance Network." Josh Hawley, the subcommittee chairman, invited the CEOs of Flock Safety, Axon Enterprise, Motorola Solutions, and Verkada to testify regarding the collection and retention of data from AI-powered license plate readers.

The investigation follows an August probe by Hawley into whether Flock Safety pools information into a searchable national database rather than serving discrete local investigations. Concerns have intensified following reports that at least 50 law enforcement officials misused the systems for illegal activities, including stalking. In response to these abuses, Flock Safety reduced its data retention period from 30 days to seven days.

FBI Director Kash Patel testified that while local jurisdictions install the cameras, the FBI accesses the data on a case-by-case basis for specific investigations, such as child predator cases. Meanwhile, Verkada stated its CEO Filip Kaliszan cannot attend the hearing, though the company is providing information to the subcommittee.

Political reactions to the technology remain divided. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis ordered the removal of license plate readers from state roads, and Texas Governor Greg Abbott halted state spending on Flock Safety cameras. Conversely, some officials continue to support the technology for its utility in law enforcement.