---
title: "Privacy Protection: US Congressman Proposes Defunding Police Using Flock Cameras"
description: "US Congressman Thomas Massie has proposed defunding police departments using Flock cameras. Local authorities in Los Angeles and other states are already canceling contracts due to abuses: from spying on ex-partners to monitoring protests. Citizens are mass-destroying cameras, demanding privacy protection. 🚓📹🚫"
date: 2026-07-31T20:09:01.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/privacy-protection-us-congressman-proposes-defunding-police-using-flock-cameras
tags: [thomas-massi, flock-safety, usa-congress, surveillance, privacy]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Privacy Protection: US Congressman Proposes Defunding Police Using Flock Cameras

![Police officer in uniform with POLICE patch stands with back turned, next to street surveillance camera and digital elements symbolizing surveillance and privacy protection](https://xab.info/media/2026/07/31/kongressmen-ssha-predlozhil-lishit-finansirovaniya-politsiyu-iskulshuyushchuyu-kamery-flock/kongressmen-ssha-predlozhil-lishit-finansirovaniya-politsiyu-iskulshuyushchuyu-kamery-flock-1.webp)

A bill has been introduced in the US House of Representatives that threatens the existence of mass video surveillance systems in American cities. Congressman Thomas Massie proposed completely defunding municipalities and police departments that use Flock cameras and similar automated recognition technologies.

### Surveillance Technology and Government Response

Flock Safety, founded in 2017 in Atlanta, specializes in selling internet-connected cameras. These devices photograph passing vehicles, read license plates, and determine vehicle characteristics—make, model, and color. Although company representatives claim they do not use facial recognition and store data for no more than 30 days, the practice of using these systems is raising more questions.

In several states, local authorities have already begun to review their relationships with the developer:

- The Los Angeles Police Department suspended its partnership with Flock due to concerns about privacy, data security, and contract terms.

- Monroe County in Indiana voted to terminate the agreement early.

- Leon County in Florida postponed funding for the installation of new cameras following complaints from residents about how data is collected and transmitted.

### Surveillance of Citizens and Protests

Critics of the system argue that the cameras are used for far more than just finding criminals or missing persons. The Institute for Justice has recorded more than 20 cases where law enforcement used Flock databases to spy on former or current romantic partners.

The Electronic Frontier Foundation reports of more serious abuses. During pickets, including the No Kings movement protests in 2025, police reviewed license plate databases. That same year, it was revealed that Texas police officers requested Flock data during the investigation of an abortion case, which authorities initially described as a missing person case.

### Civil Resistance

Public dissatisfaction has led to direct action. According to The Guardian, 33 incidents of damage or destruction of cameras have been recorded in 23 states. Local residents are painting over lenses or simply knocking down the devices.

"It's just another way to get information and spy on us. I have a constitutional right to privacy. I am a law-abiding citizen, and I don't need anyone sticking their nose into my business," said 77-year-old protester Carl Gunn.

### Flock Leadership Response

Under public pressure, the company's leadership was forced to change its rhetoric. Flock Safety CEO Garrett Langley apologized for his comments about protesters, whom he previously called a "terrorist organization." Langley also acknowledged the validity of some of the criticism directed at the business.