Burchett Targets Federally Funded Flock Cameras

Representative Tim Burchett’s Protection Against Mass Surveillance Act, H.

R. 9800, would prohibit federal agencies from acquiring or using automated license-plate readers, facial-recognition systems, biometric tools, and related technologies, while restricting federal funding for similar state and local deployments. The proposal has focused national attention on Flock Safety’s vehicle-surveillance network, with supporters citing public safety and safeguards and critics citing warrantless location tracking, misuse, and data-security risks. The bill remains pending in the House Oversight Committee and would not directly eliminate independently funded local systems.