How the American revolt against Flock cameras mirrors the Boston Tea Party of 1773

The proliferation of automated license plate readers, or ALPRs, in the United States has sparked a grassroots revolt that echoes the audacious actions of American colonists during the Boston Tea Party in 1773. These AI-powered cameras capture details of passing vehicles, storing the data in searchable databases accessible to anyone with proper permissions. Over 130,000 ALPRs now dot U.S. streets, with more than 5,000 law enforcement agencies utilizing cameras from a single manufacturer, Flock Safety.

However, the very data these cameras were designed to collect has been abused by some officers. For instance, a Kansas police officer was sentenced to probation in 2023 for stalking his estranged wife using a Flock camera. In March 2026, a Florida officer was fired and arrested for using ALPR data to stalk a woman he had previously harassed on television.

Activists have also filed lawsuits against California police departments for illegally sharing ALPR data with out-of-state and federal agencies, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

In response to public outrage, cities across the United States have rejected or canceled contracts with Flock. Florida’s Department of Transportation even revoked permits for ALPRs on its highway system in September 2026. This backlash has not dissipated, as 36 states now see opponents dismantling or impairing ALPRs instead of waiting for local governments to act.

Drawing parallels to the American Revolution, this modern-day resistance suggests that Americans have not entirely relinquished their rebellious spirit. Historians note that the colonists' actions in the late 18th century, including violent protests and destruction of British goods, were driven by a desire for autonomy and control over their lives. Similarly, today's ALPR opponents are resisting the pervasive surveillance technology, demonstrating that the American people’s spirit of dissent remains resilient.