Sen. Bernie Sanders calls for end to "AI mass surveillance," naming Flock Safety's camera network

First reported: August 19, 2026 · 1 source

On a Tuesday post to X, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) criticized Flock Safety's automated license plate reader network, saying the company has installed nearly 100,000 cameras nationwide and that they can log residents' movements to places such as doctors' offices and schools. Flock told Axios it operates more than 120,000 cameras that use AI to record plates, vehicle characteristics, and the time and location of each sighting. The company says its network aided roughly 1 million police investigations last year and helped locate about 10,000 missing people. Flock did not immediately respond to Benzinga's request for comment.

Why this matters

A sitting U.S. senator publicly targeting a single ALPR vendor elevates a debate that has largely played out in city council chambers, and may shape how other communities weigh contract renewals and retention policies.

Key facts

Flock reported more than 120,000 cameras nationwide to Axios; Sanders cited a figure of nearly 100,000.
An internal investigation in Reynoldsburg, Ohio, found an officer used Flock more than 40 times to track a former domestic partner, according to the report.
Lago Vista, Texas, voted unanimously to end its Flock agreement; Denver ended its arrangement in February.
Flock has made misuse detection mandatory and in some cases cut default data retention from 30 days to seven.
404 Media reported in 2025 that ICE had no formal Flock agreement but that local police searched the system for immigration-related purposes at ICE's request; Flock's website states it does not work with ICE or other DHS sub-agencies.

Sources

This summary was written from the published reporting below and links to it; BlockFlockNow does not reproduce article text.

Bernie Sanders Warns Americans Are Being Tracked by 120,000 AI Cameras: 'Going to the Doctor? Flock Knows' (Inkl, August 19, 2026)

About this record

BlockFlockNow documents reported incidents involving Flock Safety cameras and automated license plate readers: council votes, contract decisions, misuse by authorized users, lawsuits, audits, and community response. Every record is reviewed by a person before publication. New to the topic? Start with What is Flock?, find meetings near you, or learn how to request your town's camera records.

Updated August 19, 2026. Corrections: blockflock@bytebunny.io. See all documented incidents or search the full article archive.