Rep. Pat Harrigan, R-N.C., introduced legislation Thursday that would ban automated license plate reader (ALPR) searches targeting vehicles displaying political or religious messages. The bill aims to close privacy gaps in surveillance systems like Flock Safety's cameras by restricting how law enforcement uses the data collected from these devices.
Harrigan argued that ALPRs track extensive details about individuals, including where they work, where their children attend school, and where they worship. He noted that this creates an "extraordinary amount of information" for the government to hold on citizens who have not committed crimes. The proposed law would prohibit government agencies from categorizing vehicles based on "expressive attributes," such as bumper stickers, flags, or decals.
The bill would block ALPR searches targeting specific categories of activity, including political or religious expression, civil immigration violations, parking infractions, non-moving traffic violations, debts, and other civil penalties. Harrigan stated that these attributes have nothing to do with whether a driver committed a crime. He warned that as data is collected by the government, it becomes searchable, particularly with the aid of new artificial intelligence technologies.
Flock Safety has stated that its systems can detect bumper stickers but cannot identify their type, such as a specific political party or house of worship. However, the company's AI-powered FreeForm search allows users to search vehicle characteristics "in plain terms." This capability raises questions about how markings could be used to identify vehicles. Flock Safety said safeguards are designed to block searches for vehicles based on political or religious symbols, but the company did not respond to requests for comment from Fox News Digital before publication.
The legislation would require law enforcement to obtain a probable cause warrant for most searches, with exceptions only for immediate threats to life or safety. Records would generally have to be deleted within 24 hours, though exceptions exist for warrants, emergencies, and court orders. Agencies would be required to log ALPR searches, publish annual reports, and undergo audits. States that fail to implement these protections could lose 10% of certain federal criminal justice funding.
The bill also addresses vendor practices by prohibiting companies from selling ALPR data or using it to train artificial intelligence models. It provides legal protections for Americans by allowing them to sue for at least $1,000 per violation for illegal searches and ensuring illegally obtained evidence is excluded from court proceedings.
Critics have raised constitutional concerns regarding ALPRs tracking drivers without consent, while supporters argue the technology is necessary for crime prevention. President Donald Trump expressed approval of Flock cameras on Sept. 13, citing their utility for law enforcement despite some describing them as an infringement. In August, The Washington Post reported that at least 50 officers had been accused or charged with misusing license plate readers, with Flock's system used in 46 of those cases.
Harrigan said the bill would not stop the technology from being used as an investigative tool but would place limits on its scope. He believes lawmakers can support the bill regardless of political philosophy, framing it as a balance between protecting Americans from criminals and safeguarding their constitutional rights.