A bipartisan pair of US lawmakers have introduced the No FLOCK Act, threatening to withhold federal highway funding from states that allow the use of Flock cameras and similar automated license plate readers. The legislation would restrict the use of such devices to five specific scenarios, excluding common policing tasks like traffic studies and minor drug enforcement.

Representatives Raja Krishnamoorthi and Michael Cloud argue the bill is necessary to prevent misuse, but it remains a compromise, as it stops short of a total ban and allows for data sharing with immigration authorities. Flock, the company behind the technology, has not yet commented on the proposed legislation.

States found non-compliant could lose tens of millions to hundreds of millions of dollars annually, starting in October 2028. Critics argue this is a step towards greater privacy, while proponents see it as a way to ensure the technology is used ethically and for the greater good.

The legislation, while ambitious, may face challenges in achieving its goals. The ongoing debate highlights the tension between technological advancement and individual rights, with the potential to shape future policies worldwide.