Bernie Sanders Vows Laws to 'Cease Flock and AI Mass Surveillance' – Decrypt

In short
Sen. Bernie Sanders pledged in an X publish to introduce laws focusing on Flock Security, opening with “STOP FLOCK. STOP AI MASS SURVEILLANCE” and warning that unchecked monitoring know-how dangers steering the nation towards totalitarianism.
He stated Flock has put in greater than 120,000 AI cameras scanning 20 billion autos month-to-month throughout 6,000-plus communities, and that newer fashions can mix photos with databases of cellphone numbers, relations and court docket data to determine individuals.
Sanders joins a bipartisan backlash, together with Rep. Thomas Massie's deliberate funding-cutoff invoice and canceled contracts from Los Angeles to Indiana.
Sen. Bernie Sanders is taking intention at Flock Security, pledging to introduce laws focusing on the surveillance-camera firm as he warned that synthetic intelligence is pushing the nation towards a “surveillance state.”In a prolonged publish on X on Wednesday, the Vermont unbiased framed the combat in stark phrases, opening with “STOP FLOCK. STOP AI MASS SURVEILLANCE” and cautioning that unchecked monitoring know-how dangers steering the U.S. towards totalitarianism.Myriad: When will OpenAI launch GPT-6? Click on to make your prediction.Sanders stated Flock, which he described as backed by tech figures Marc Andreessen and Peter Thiel, has put in greater than 120,000 AI-powered cameras throughout the nation that scan and document 20 billion autos every month in over 6,000 communities.Sanders argued the attain extends into each day life, saying that wherever Flock operates, its cameras log residents dropping youngsters in school, visiting medical doctors or heading out on dates. He additionally pointed to newer capabilities, contending Flock's AI can mix photos of an individual and their automobile with databases of cellphone numbers, relations and court docket data to find out who somebody is and the place they are going. He closed by promising to introduce a invoice to rein within the know-how.
STOP FLOCK. STOP AI MASS SURVEILLANCE.
Totalitarianism is when a authorities or one other entity with overwhelming energy seeks to know, management and affect the whole lot you do, say and even suppose. I worry very a lot that if we do not act aggressively, that's the place we’re heading.…
— Sen. Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) August 26, 2026The pledge provides a outstanding voice to a swelling bipartisan backlash. Opposition to Flock's automated license plate readers has already reached Capitol Hill, the place Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie stated he plans laws to withhold federal funding from businesses that deploy the cameras. Native governments from Los Angeles to Monroe County, Indiana, have suspended or canceled contracts amid privateness issues, whereas activists in dozens of states have vandalized or disabled the gadgets.Atlanta-based Flock, based in 2017, says its cameras do not use facial recognition and sometimes retain footage for 30 days. CEO Garrett Langley has argued that critics typically soften as soon as they perceive the know-how primarily pictures autos, and he not too long ago apologized for beforehand labeling anti-Flock activists a “terroristic group.”In an interview with FOX Information earlier this week, Langley requested Individuals to “compromise” on their privateness, implying residents ought to prioritize security over issues about surveillance.Flock has moved aggressively over the previous yr to increase its footprint, together with a nationwide plate-scanning fleet involving Uber drivers and a police device for monitoring drivers.Sanders didn't specify when he would introduce the invoice.Every day Debrief NewsletterStart daily with the highest information tales proper now, plus authentic options, a podcast, movies and extra.