Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro has “real concerns” about the way Flock cameras — automated license plate readers that capture and store data gleaned from moving cars — are being used in the state, a spokesperson said Wednesday.
Open to banning the technology, Shapiro is wary of how Pennsylvanians’ privacy can be protected, Rosie Lapowsky, Shapiro’s spokesperson, said in a statement. Flock cameras can record license plates and other vehicle features such as bumper stickers of every car that passes them.
Lapowsky added that commonwealth agencies, including the Pennsylvania State Police and the Department of Transportation, “do not own Flock cameras and will not allow them to be used or installed on Commonwealth property.”
Shapiro, a Democrat up for reelection in November, has pointed out that there a several proposals being weighed by the Pennsylvania General Assembly that would either ban or strictly regulate this technology, Lapowsky said.
“And,” she added, “our administration is working with the General Assembly on what piece of legislation could make it to the governor’s desk in order to protect Pennsylvanians’ privacy.”
A bipartisan proposal would establish statewide privacy and accountability protections for automated license plate reader systems. The bill, which was introduced by Philadelphia Democratic State Rep. Tarik Khan, would create guardrails to prevent the misuse of personal data and to protect civil liberties.
In a statement Wednesday, Flock spokesperson Paris Lewbel characterized the cameras as “important public safety tools… helping [law enforcement] officers solve serious crimes and find missing people.”
But organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union call the cameras “creepy” and part of what could grow into a nationwide, warrant-less surveillance system.
The issue has gained traction nationally ahead of the November midterm elections amid a wider backlash to the AI industry.
Last week at a press conference in Franklin County, Shapiro said, “I think law enforcement needs to have tools to keep communities safe. Flock cameras are not a tool that I support. I would welcome bipartisan legislation to ban these across the state.”
The county announced it would terminate its contract with Flock, even though the sheriff’s department supported the technology.
Similarly, the Abington Township Police Department ended a contract last month that supplied the agency with Flock cameras over concerns about data security. The governor resides in Abington.
Concerns grew after it was learned that the network uses artificial intelligence to identify cars that frequently drive together, and allows officers to search for vehicles by behavior, rather than plate number.
Officers in other states have even been accused of using Flock to keep tabs on their girlfriends.
Unredacted search logs have also been released to the public through information requests and data leaks.
Lewbel added that the company would “support thoughtful, bipartisan legislation that puts strong privacy, transparency, and accountability guardrails in place while preserving law enforcement’s ability to use technology responsibly to keep people safe.”