{
  "id": 7527151,
  "title": "Lawmakers Want States to Crack Down on Flock Cameras—or Pay the Price",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/lawmakers-want-states-to-crack-down-on-flock-cameras-or-pay-the-price",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-15T10:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Wired Business",
    "slug": "wired-business",
    "url": "https://www.wired.com/story/lawmakers-want-states-to-crack-down-on-flock-cameras-or-pay-the-price/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A bipartisan bill in Congress aims to compel states to limit the use of Flock cameras, or risk losing significant transportation funding. The No FLOCK Act, co-sponsored by Democrats Raja Krishnamoorthi and Michael Cloud, requires the secretary of transportation to withhold 10 percent of annual highway, road, and bridge funding from states that do not ban Flock and similar devices. The legislation restricts Flock cameras to five authorized uses: toll enforcement, identifying stolen vehicles, locating missing or endangered persons, vehicles linked to felony warrants, and investigating felony-involved vehicles. Concerns about Flock cameras include gaps in oversight, lack of transparency in data sharing with government agencies, and potential misuse for personal surveillance. The bill does not ban Flock systems entirely or prohibit sharing license plate tracking data with entities like immigration authorities. If passed, states facing non-compliance would see reductions in transportation funding beginning in October 2028. Flock has not commented on the proposed bill. The issue of Flock cameras and other emerging technologies, such as AI and data centers, is gaining attention ahead of the US midterm elections, but the likelihood of these bills advancing remains uncertain. President Trump has supported Flock cameras, citing their assistance to law enforcement. Lawmakers acknowledge the technology's benefits but are troubled by instances of personal misuse by officers. About 25 states and territories have existing laws regulating automated license plate readers, but fewer limit the range of uses. Supporters view the bill as a crucial step in curbing unchecked surveillance, while critics argue it falls short of fully addressing privacy concerns.",
  "summary": "A new bipartisan effort in Congress to rein in automated license plate readers takes a page from the national drinking age: Comply, or risk losing federal highway funding.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Wired",
        "title": "Lawmakers Want States to Crack Down on Flock Cameras—or Pay the Price",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/lawmakers-want-states-to-crack-down-on-flock-cameras-or-pay-the-price-7528097",
        "published": "2026-09-15T10:00:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}