Tennessee Republicans Raise Concerns Over License Plate Reader Technology
Two leading Republicans in Tennessee are expressing concerns about the growing use of automatic license plate reading technology. They warn that the increasing number of surveillance cameras poses a threat to Americans’ privacy unless there are solid legal safeguards in place.
Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs and former Knox County Mayor Congressman Tim Burchett are advocating for action as Flock Safety’s ALPR cameras become more widespread in Tennessee and beyond.
“I appreciate Congressman Burchett’s efforts to bring this attention to the national scene,” Jacobs said in a statement. “As technology evolves, it’s crucial that regulations keep pace to protect our citizens’ rights and freedoms.”
These worries come as Flock Safety emerges as one of the largest players in the ALPR market, with their cameras marketed as tools to help law enforcement track stolen vehicles and assist in criminal investigations.
However, some in the public and officials remain uneasy, fearing this expanding network could lead to widespread surveillance of everyday citizens who are not involved in any crimes.
In Tennessee, Jacobs is urging local officials to reject the use of Flock cameras entirely. In a video statement, he pointed out that modern AI-driven license plate readers have capabilities that exceed those of earlier systems, which only photographed plates for brief law enforcement purposes.
“License plate readers have existed for a while, but thanks to AI and advancements in data capabilities, these Flock cameras can do things that were unimaginable before,” Jacobs noted.
He further elaborated that the latest models use AI to gather extensive information about vehicles, including make, model, color, and even bumper stickers.
“This data might be stored in a searchable database for an extended period, depending on agency policies,” Jacobs stated. “When these cameras are widely deployed, they form a network capable of tracking individual movements.”
He raised alarms that these devices are “inadvertently creating a mass surveillance system without a warrant” and called for congressional intervention.
Burchett has a bill in the works that seeks to impose restrictions on surveillance technology.
“We must ensure the safety of our country, but we cannot sacrifice the freedom that defines us,” Burchett remarked in a video post. “This is a violation of the Fourth Amendment.”
Burchett introduced HR 9800 to Congress on July 21. The proposed legislation aims to prohibit federal agencies from purchasing or utilizing various surveillance technologies and prevents federal funds from being allocated for such systems by state and local governments.
He argues that the cameras “violate constitutional rights” and create a dilemma for Americans between safety and freedom. While law enforcement should have the necessary tools to address threats, “sacrificing constitutional rights is not an option,” he stated.
“Trust but verify, as President Reagan once said,” Burchett added. “This bill seeks to restore the balance between national security and individual freedoms.”
