COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Missouri senator announced on Wednesday he is introducing a new bill related to automatic license plate readers like Flock.

Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) introduced the "Stop Flock Abuse Act" to establish basic safeguards for AI-powered cameras and to "protect Americans’ fundamental constitutional rights," Senator Hawley said.

This comes as use of the technology has come under scrutiny. Concerns over Flock cameras have continued to grow, with more than 150 cities across the country canceling their contracts or deactivating the cameras. That includes the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office, which announced it would deactivate its Flock cameras last month.

"AI-powered cameras produced by Flock and its competitors are tracking and creating digital footprints of everyday Americans — a nightmare for individual liberties unless Congress enacts meaningful rules and accountability. Last week, my hearing on Flock brought to light the threat that these AI-powered cameras pose to national security and the privacy of everyday Americans,” Hawley said. 

Hawley's website says that this bill would establish the following common-sense guardrails:

• Never sell data, meaning that local government cannot sell or share data with non-governmental third parties.
• Next is no rogue searches, meaning that an approval must be written to authorize a search.
• A search log must be preserved, showing who searched it, why, and who approved it
• Data must be encrypted and must not leave the United States
• Limit on data retention: agencies must permanently delete data after ten days
• No hardware or software from foreign adversaries
• Prohibition on facial recognition technology

Jefferson City renewed its agreement with Flock in August, with Police Chief Eric Wilde publicly saying the use of Flock cameras has helped the department solve three homicides. Columbia has stated it will hold a public meeting regarding Flock.

Gov. Mike Kehoe signed an executive order earlier this month to put stricter restrictions on automatic license plate readers like Flock cameras. The order requires the Department of Public Safety to issue best practice guidelines for ALPRS.

A Wednesday evening press release from the Department of Public Safety says it spent two weeks speaking with law enforcement agencies around the state. Some recommendations it made include making sure:

• A legitimate law enforcement purpose for any ALPR data search;
• Individual accountability for anyone with access to ALPR data;
• Independent verification of ALPR alerts before enforcement;
• Limited (30 days in most cases) retention of ALPR data;
• Routine auditing (at least monthly) and targeted reviews of ALPR use; and
• Prohibiting the integration of artificial intelligence facial recognition technology with ALPR systems.

The DPS' document regarding its recommendations can be viewed below.

Columbia Police Department declined an interview regarding Flock cameras.