Pennsylvania and West Virginia Lawmakers Target Flock Safety Surveillance

Lawmakers in Pennsylvania and West Virginia are pursuing legislation to regulate automated license plate readers (ALPRs) provided by Flock Safety after concerns emerged regarding privacy and system misuse. In Pennsylvania, a bipartisan group of state representatives announced plans for statewide privacy and accountability protections. These proposed rules would govern data access, retention, and transparency, while introducing civil penalties for unauthorized use, such as stalking.

In West Virginia, legislators held interim meetings to examine the technology's impact on constitutional rights. During these sessions, lawmakers questioned the company's data ownership claims and the potential for combined surveillance products to track individuals. While some officials acknowledge the utility of ALPRs in solving crimes and finding missing persons, others argue that current vendor policies are insufficient.

Critics, including the Institute for Justice, argue that the systems are now as easily used as a Google search and require harder access controls. In response, Flock Safety representatives testified that a combination of existing policies and technological advancements ensure that those who abuse the system will be caught.