From the Boston Tea Party to the Flock camera backlash, 250 years of Americans saying no

In the United States, a grassroots revolt against automated license plate readers (ALPRs) has gained significant traction, mirroring the rebellious spirit evident during the American Revolution. ALPRs, AI-powered cameras capable of capturing images of all passing vehicles, have been installed on over 130,000 U.S. streets. Flock Safety, a leading manufacturer, claims its cameras have aided law enforcement in identifying and arresting criminals and reducing crime.

However, some officers have abused the data collected by these cameras. In 2023, a Kansas police officer was sentenced to 18 months of probation for stalking his estranged wife using a Flock camera, while a Florida officer was fired and arrested for stalking a woman he had previously harassed on TV using similar data. Despite public outrage, cities across the nation have rejected and canceled contracts with Flock, and in September 2026, Florida's Department of Transportation revoked permits for ALPRs on its highway system.

This backlash has also spurred opponents to take direct action, with at least 36 states witnessing citizens destroying or impairing ALPRs. A historian of the American Revolution draws a parallel between the current opposition to ALPRs and the colonists' destructive and often violent resistance to British rule in the 18th century.

Flock Safety CEO Garett Langley recently defended the company by comparing detractors' misunderstandings of Ben Franklin's quote about liberty and safety.