Sen. Bernie Sanders pledged in an X submit to introduce laws focusing on Flock Security, opening with “STOP FLOCK. STOP AI MASS SURVEILLANCE” and warning that unchecked monitoring expertise dangers steering the nation towards totalitarianism.
He stated Flock has put in greater than 120,000 AI cameras scanning 20 billion autos month-to-month throughout 6,000-plus communities, and that newer fashions can mix photos with databases of telephone numbers, family and court docket data to establish individuals.
Sanders joins a bipartisan backlash, together with Rep. Thomas Massie’s deliberate funding-cutoff invoice and canceled contracts from Los Angeles to Indiana.
Sen. Bernie Sanders is taking goal at Flock Security, pledging to introduce laws focusing on the surveillance-camera firm as he warned that synthetic intelligence is pushing the nation towards a “surveillance state.”
In a prolonged submit on X on Wednesday, the Vermont impartial framed the combat in stark phrases, opening with “STOP FLOCK. STOP AI MASS SURVEILLANCE” and cautioning that unchecked monitoring expertise dangers steering the U.S. towards totalitarianism.
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Sanders stated Flock, which he described as backed by tech figures Marc Andreessen and Peter Thiel, has put in greater than 120,000 AI-powered cameras throughout the nation that scan and report 20 billion autos every month in over 6,000 communities.
Sanders argued the attain extends into every day life, saying that wherever Flock operates, its cameras log residents dropping youngsters at college, visiting docs or heading out on dates. He additionally pointed to newer capabilities, contending Flock’s AI can mix photos of an individual and their car with databases of telephone numbers, family and court docket data to find out who somebody is and the place they are going. He closed by promising to introduce a invoice to rein within the expertise.
STOP FLOCK. STOP AI MASS SURVEILLANCE.
Totalitarianism is when a authorities or one other entity with overwhelming energy seeks to know, management and affect every thing you do, say and even assume. I concern very a lot that if we do not act aggressively, that’s the place we’re heading.…
— Sen. Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) August 26, 2026
The pledge provides a outstanding voice to a swelling bipartisan backlash. Opposition to Flock’s automated license plate readers has already reached Capitol Hill, the place Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie stated he plans laws to withhold federal funding from companies that deploy the cameras. Native governments from Los Angeles to Monroe County, Indiana, have suspended or canceled contracts amid privateness considerations, whereas activists in dozens of states have vandalized or disabled the units.
Atlanta-based Flock, based in 2017, says its cameras do not use facial recognition and sometimes retain footage for 30 days. CEO Garrett Langley has argued that critics usually soften as soon as they perceive the expertise primarily pictures autos, and he just lately apologized for beforehand labeling anti-Flock activists a “terroristic group.”
In an interview with FOX Information earlier this week, Langley requested People to “compromise” on their privateness, implying residents ought to prioritize security over considerations about surveillance.
Flock has moved aggressively over the previous yr to increase its footprint, together with a nationwide plate-scanning fleet involving Uber drivers and a police device for monitoring drivers.
Sanders didn’t specify when he would introduce the invoice.
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