ALPR and Flock camera legislation
ALPR cameras are legal almost everywhere in the US. What legislatures are actually fighting over is the rules around them: how long data may be kept, who it may be shared with, and whether new installations should pause. This page tracks 46 stories on that legislation.
For where each state currently stands, see the state-by-state legal status overview.
46
Stories tracked
October 13, 2026
Most recent story
July 29, 2026
Earliest tracked
ALPR and Flock camera legislation: the coverage
Every item links to the outlet that reported it. FlockScanner does not write, verify or endorse these stories — see the content policy for how the feed works.
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Overland Park tightens restrictions on license plate reader data. ACLU calls it a ‘significant step forward’
KCUR · October 13, 2026
Overland Park tightens restrictions on license plate reader data. ACLU calls it a ‘significant step forward’ — reported by KCUR.
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West Virginia lawmakers press Flock Safety for answers on security breaches, employee access
WV News · October 13, 2026
West Virginia lawmakers press Flock Safety for answers on security breaches, employee access — reported by WV News.
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Kanawha County delegate reports Flock Safety provided information to state lawmakers; some questions remain
WCHS Network · October 12, 2026
Kanawha County delegate reports Flock Safety provided information to state lawmakers; some questions remain — reported by WCHS Network.
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Long Island lawmakers question Flock Safety over privacy, oversight of license plate readers
CBS News · October 8, 2026
Long Island lawmakers question Flock Safety over privacy, oversight of license plate readers — reported by CBS News.
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Lawmakers Weigh Guardrails for License Plate Readers Amid Privacy Concerns
National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) · October 6, 2026
Lawmakers Weigh Guardrails for License Plate Readers Amid Privacy Concerns — reported by National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL).
Read the summary → Original reporting at National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) ↗
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Oregon lawmakers will pursue ban on AI license plate reader cameras
Statesman Journal · October 6, 2026
Oregon lawmakers will pursue ban on AI license plate reader cameras — reported by Statesman Journal.
Read the summary → Original reporting at Statesman Journal ↗
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WV House panel gives Flock Safety Friday deadline over data security questions
WV News · October 6, 2026
WV House panel gives Flock Safety Friday deadline over data security questions — reported by WV News.
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Bicameral Legislation Would Ban Federal Use of License Plate Scanners (Oct 2, 2026)
VitalLaw.com · October 3, 2026
Bicameral Legislation Would Ban Federal Use of License Plate Scanners (Oct 2, 2026) — reported by VitalLaw.com.
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California lawmaker seeks criminal penalties for misuse of license plate reader data
KCRA · September 30, 2026
California lawmaker seeks criminal penalties for misuse of license plate reader data — reported by KCRA.
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Senate Hearing Examines Flock Safety Surveillance Network And Privacy Concerns
Dallas Express · September 25, 2026
Senate Hearing Examines Flock Safety Surveillance Network And Privacy Concerns — reported by Dallas Express.
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Oregon lawmakers could ban Flock, automated license plate reading cameras in 2027
Oregon Capital Chronicle · September 24, 2026
Oregon lawmakers could ban Flock, automated license plate reading cameras in 2027 — reported by Oregon Capital Chronicle.
Read the summary → Original reporting at Oregon Capital Chronicle ↗
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Philly City Council discusses legislation calling for ban on Flock cameras
NBC10 Philadelphia · September 24, 2026
Philly City Council discusses legislation calling for ban on Flock cameras — reported by NBC10 Philadelphia.
Read the summary → Original reporting at NBC10 Philadelphia ↗
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Senate hearing examines police ALPR use, privacy concerns and AI capabilities
police1.com · September 24, 2026
Senate hearing examines police ALPR use, privacy concerns and AI capabilities — reported by police1.com.
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Nevada debate over license plate reader cameras heats up ahead of 2027 legislative session
ktnv.com · September 23, 2026
Nevada debate over license plate reader cameras heats up ahead of 2027 legislative session — reported by ktnv.com.
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Senate hearing puts Flock cameras under national scrutiny amid Florida ALPR debate | Watch live here
WINK News · September 23, 2026
Senate hearing puts Flock cameras under national scrutiny amid Florida ALPR debate | Watch live here — reported by WINK News.
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ACLU Privacy Expert to Testify at Bipartisan Senate Hearing on Flock and Other Automatic License Plate Readers
aclu.org · September 22, 2026
ACLU Privacy Expert to Testify at Bipartisan Senate Hearing on Flock and Other Automatic License Plate Readers — reported by aclu.org.
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Atlanta legislation introduced on oversight of license plate reader cameras
11Alive.com · September 22, 2026
Atlanta legislation introduced on oversight of license plate reader cameras — reported by 11Alive.com.
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Flock Safety faces scrutiny from lawmakers over dodged questions about its surveillance technology
Mountain State Spotlight · September 21, 2026
Flock Safety faces scrutiny from lawmakers over dodged questions about its surveillance technology — reported by Mountain State Spotlight.
Read the summary → Original reporting at Mountain State Spotlight ↗
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Nev. Lawmaker Pushes Ban on Automated License Plate Reader Cameras
officer.com · September 18, 2026
Nev. Lawmaker Pushes Ban on Automated License Plate Reader Cameras — reported by officer.com.
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Nevada Lawmaker Proposes Ban of Tech Behind Flock Safety Cameras
GovTech · September 18, 2026
Nevada Lawmaker Proposes Ban of Tech Behind Flock Safety Cameras — reported by GovTech.
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Governor Kehoe orders restrictions on Flock Safety cameras until Legislature addresses the privacy issues
Missourinet · September 16, 2026
Governor Kehoe orders restrictions on Flock Safety cameras until Legislature addresses the privacy issues — reported by Missourinet.
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SIA defends regulated ALPR use as Flock backlash drives calls for bans
Biometric Update · September 11, 2026
SIA defends regulated ALPR use as Flock backlash drives calls for bans — reported by Biometric Update.
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Nevada lawmaker plans bill to ban automated license plate reader networks
This Is Reno · September 10, 2026
Nevada lawmaker plans bill to ban automated license plate reader networks — reported by This Is Reno.
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Ohio lawmaker files bill to boost oversight of automated license plate readers
News 5 Cleveland WEWS · September 9, 2026
Ohio lawmaker files bill to boost oversight of automated license plate readers — reported by News 5 Cleveland WEWS.
Read the summary → Original reporting at News 5 Cleveland WEWS ↗
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Pa. lawmakers eye limits, outright ban on Flock cameras as they prepare for fall return
Spotlight PA · September 9, 2026
Pa. lawmakers eye limits, outright ban on Flock cameras as they prepare for fall return — reported by Spotlight PA.
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Federal Legislation and Oversight of Law Enforcement Use of Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs)
EveryCRSReport.com · September 4, 2026
Federal Legislation and Oversight of Law Enforcement Use of Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs) — reported by EveryCRSReport.com.
Read the summary → Original reporting at EveryCRSReport.com ↗
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Ohio lawmakers call for pause on Flock license plate reader cameras
WKYC · September 4, 2026
Ohio lawmakers call for pause on Flock license plate reader cameras — reported by WKYC.
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Kentucky lawmakers question Flock Safety over license plate reader cameras
Spectrum News · September 3, 2026
Kentucky lawmakers question Flock Safety over license plate reader cameras — reported by Spectrum News.
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Don’t Ban Automated License Plate Readers—Regulate Them
City Journal · September 2, 2026
Don’t Ban Automated License Plate Readers—Regulate Them — reported by City Journal.
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New Flock restrictions leave questions about MPD’s other license plate reader systems
Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service · September 1, 2026
New Flock restrictions leave questions about MPD’s other license plate reader systems — reported by Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service.
Read the summary → Original reporting at Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service ↗
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PA state senator planning bill to ban on Flock, ALPR cameras
yourerie.com · August 27, 2026
PA state senator planning bill to ban on Flock, ALPR cameras — reported by yourerie.com.
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South Carolina lacks laws to regulate license plate reader cameras, investigation finds
FOX Carolina News · August 27, 2026
South Carolina lacks laws to regulate license plate reader cameras, investigation finds — reported by FOX Carolina News.
Read the summary → Original reporting at FOX Carolina News ↗
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Indiana lawmakers looking at license plate cameras amid growing privacy worries
Indiana Capital Chronicle · August 24, 2026
Indiana lawmakers looking at license plate cameras amid growing privacy worries — reported by Indiana Capital Chronicle.
Read the summary → Original reporting at Indiana Capital Chronicle ↗
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Backlash grows against automated license plate readers as cities move to restrict cameras
Spectrum News · August 20, 2026
Backlash grows against automated license plate readers as cities move to restrict cameras — reported by Spectrum News.
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Henrico fire investigators’ license plate camera data access revoked over violations of state law
WRIC ABC 8News · August 20, 2026
Henrico fire investigators’ license plate camera data access revoked over violations of state law — reported by WRIC ABC 8News.
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California Bill Seeks to Curb ALPR Surveillance, Citing Civil Liberties Risks
Davis Vanguard · August 18, 2026
California Bill Seeks to Curb ALPR Surveillance, Citing Civil Liberties Risks — reported by Davis Vanguard.
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RPOA Joins Other State Agencies In Opposing Bill To Restrict License Plate Reader Tech
The Riverside Record · August 18, 2026
RPOA Joins Other State Agencies In Opposing Bill To Restrict License Plate Reader Tech — reported by The Riverside Record.
Read the summary → Original reporting at The Riverside Record ↗
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Auburn lawmakers debate removing Flock cameras
WRVO · August 17, 2026
Auburn lawmakers debate removing Flock cameras — reported by WRVO.
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Flock backlash could reshape local ALPR use, but company says change is up to police, lawmakers
StateScoop · August 14, 2026
Flock backlash could reshape local ALPR use, but company says change is up to police, lawmakers — reported by StateScoop.
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Michigan Senate bill targets license plate reader cameras amid privacy concerns
WILX · August 11, 2026
Michigan Senate bill targets license plate reader cameras amid privacy concerns — reported by WILX.
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Caddo Parish lawmaker voices concerns over use of Flock Safety Cameras
louisianaradionetwork.com · August 7, 2026
Caddo Parish lawmaker voices concerns over use of Flock Safety Cameras — reported by louisianaradionetwork.com.
Read the summary → Original reporting at louisianaradionetwork.com ↗
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California bill would impose statewide rules on automated license plate readers amid privacy, public safety debate
cbs8.com · August 7, 2026
California bill would impose statewide rules on automated license plate readers amid privacy, public safety debate — reported by cbs8.com.
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State lawmakers urge Connecticut towns, cities to pause installations of Flock Safety cameras
WTNH.com · August 5, 2026
State lawmakers urge Connecticut towns, cities to pause installations of Flock Safety cameras — reported by WTNH.com.
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Two Connecticut lawmakers call for towns to pause all new Flock cameras as backlash grows
Greenwich Time · August 5, 2026
Two Connecticut lawmakers call for towns to pause all new Flock cameras as backlash grows — reported by Greenwich Time.
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‘Don’t Flock me’: California, U.S. lawmakers debate license plate reader technology
CalMatters · August 3, 2026
‘Don’t Flock me’: California, U.S. lawmakers debate license plate reader technology — reported by CalMatters.
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Tennessee leaders push for license plate reader regulations amid privacy concerns
WVLT · July 29, 2026
Tennessee leaders push for license plate reader regulations amid privacy concerns — reported by WVLT.
Common questions
Are there laws regulating Flock cameras?
Yes, and they vary sharply by state. ALPR use itself is legal in most of the US, but states differ on retention limits, permitted uses, sharing with federal or out-of-state agencies, and disclosure requirements. FlockScanner tracks 46 stories on proposed and enacted ALPR legislation, including California bills imposing statewide rules and Michigan and Connecticut efforts to restrict or pause deployments.
Can a state ban Flock cameras?
A state can regulate or restrict ALPR use — retention caps, sharing prohibitions, warrant requirements, or moratoriums on new installations — and several have moved in that direction. Outright statewide bans have not been the common approach; the more usual pattern is a bill constraining what agencies may do with the data. At the local level, individual cities have simply declined to renew contracts.
Other news topics
- Cities that cancelled Flock cameras (168)
- Flock camera privacy concerns (124)
- Opposition to Flock cameras (115)
- Flock camera data sharing and breaches (97)
- Flock camera audits and oversight (74)
- Flock camera misuse and abuse cases (49)
- Flock camera lawsuits (44)
- Flock camera vandalism reports (15)
- Flock camera misidentification cases (4)
- Flock cameras and immigration enforcement (3)
Where the cameras are
FlockScanner also maps documented ALPR camera locations across the US — see the live map, camera locations by state, or cameras near you.