They're Tracking Our Cars. Who the Hell Approved This?

20 billion license plate scans a month. Federal access. Documented abuses. Congress has a bill to address it, and your voice belongs in this debate.

Laurie Woodward Garcia and People Power United

Nov 14, 2026

Your Car Is Being Tracked by Flock Cameras. Who permitted them?

Your Car Is Being Tracked. Who permitted them?

Apparently, driving to the grocery store now comes with a surveillance record. Welcome to America, where your car may have more government attention than the billionaires dodging accountability.

Friends, we need to talk about something downright disturbing.

You drive your kids to school. Visit your doctor. Attend a protest. Stop for coffee.

Normal stuff.

But across America, automatic license plate readers photograph vehicles, record locations, and feed information into searchable databases.

No arrest. No criminal accusation. No reason to suspect you’ve done a damn thing wrong.

And now we’re learning just how far this surveillance network reaches.

20 BILLION SCANS A MONTH. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

Flock Safety reportedly operates more than 120,000 cameras nationwide, generating roughly 20 billion vehicle scans every month. That’s scans, not individual people, but the scale is staggering. 1

And here’s where things get especially troubling.

Customs and Border Protection accessed data from more than 80,000 Flock cameras through a 2025 pilot program. Reporting found that some local police departments weren’t even aware federal authorities were accessing their camera data.2

Excuse me?

Communities install cameras for local public safety, and suddenly federal agencies are accessing the information?

Where’s the transparency? Where’s the oversight? And who the hell decided Americans should accept this as normal?

Meanwhile, congressional investigators have demanded answers about the FBI’s interest in expanding access to license plate surveillance data.3

This isn’t some futuristic nightmare.

The infrastructure is already here.

TAKE ACTION» Support the Ban Flock Act

A badge isn’t a blank check. Flock cameras abuses need to be addressed.

AND YES, THE CAMERAS HAVE BEEN MISUSED.

Investigations have documented more than 100 cases involving officers accused of or charged with abusing license plate reader systems, including allegations involving stalking and personal relationships.4

Imagine someone with a badge using surveillance technology to keep tabs on an ex.

That’s not public safety. That’s an abuse of power.

And while some departments say these cameras help locate missing people and solve crimes, those benefits don’t erase the need for enforceable safeguards.

A badge isn’t a blank check. Neither is a government contract.

Who Gave Them Access? Ban Flock Act challenges that access.

THERE’S A BILL IN CONGRESS THAT DESERVES YOUR ATTENTION.

Sen. Bernie Sanders, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Sen. Jeff Merkley have introduced the Ban Flock Act, legislation intended to curb automatic license plate surveillance.5

The proposal would prohibit federal agencies from using these readers or accessing their data, restrict certain federal grants to state and local governments using the technology, and create a legal avenue for people to challenge federal violations.

Those are substantial restrictions, and Congress needs to examine the consequences for privacy, civil liberties, public safety, and local communities.

Because here’s something our elected officials should never forget:

Privacy is a right, not a reward for good behavior.

You shouldn’t have to explain why you visited a doctor, attended a rally, worshipped at a particular church, or drove across town.

And you certainly shouldn’t have to trust that everyone with access to a massive surveillance database will behave responsibly.

Your Voice. Your Rights. Call to action: Ban Flock Cameras.

FRIENDS, THIS IS WHERE WE COME IN.

People Power United has joined an Action Network campaign supporting the Ban Flock Act. You can review the proposal, make your own decision, and contact your members of Congress.

TAKE ACTION» Tell Congress to Support the Ban Flock Act

You can also call the congressional switchboard at 202-224-3121 and ask your lawmakers where they stand on warrant requirements, federal access, data retention, oversight, and the proposed ban.

Because government surveillance doesn’t become acceptable simply because the technology makes it convenient.

And Americans shouldn’t have to surrender their privacy just to drive down the damn street.

Government power must have limits. Due process is not a privilege. And accountability is not optional.

Your voice matters, and your actions can change things.

Speak Out. Show Up. Power to the People.

Freedom Over Fascism. Progress Over Fear. Power to the People.