“Draconian” – GOP Congressman Wants To “Ban” Flock Safety Cameras

Ban FLOCK cameras! Call your Congressman. pic.twitter.com/cPv9007C1a

— Tim Burchett (@timburchett) July 23, 2026

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U.S. Rep. Tim Burchett wants to limit video surveillance cameras and real-time information centers like the one the Knox County Sheriff’s Office is building.

Burchett, a former Knox County mayor, told Knox News on July 22 he was surprised when he learned the KCSO planned to use Flock Safety surveillance cameras to prevent violent crime.

“I heard about it when they first started going and at first I thought, ‘That can’t be right,'” Burchett said.

Burchett’s legislation would bar federal grant dollars from going toward surveillance cameras.

KCSO’s real-time information center will be a one-stop shop for the data recorded by license plate readers, which only take still images, and new video cameras KCSO purchased. Footage from the license plate readers is stored for 30 days and then deleted unless it’s being used in an investigation. KCSO staffers can also tap into the cameras and view a live feed.

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I have serious concerns about the rollout of Flock cameras in Knox County. I believe they are a threat to our privacy and civil liberties. Commission is holding a special session prior to their regular meeting Monday to discuss this issue, and I will have more to say as well.

— Glenn Jacobs (@GlennJacobsTN) July 22, 2026

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I’m working on legislation to ban these. https://t.co/A7rLtz7KwQ

— Anna Paulina Luna (@realannapaulina) July 22, 2026

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Amid growing national concern over increased use of AI-enhanced surveillance systems such as automatic license plate readers (ALPR), a Texas congressman is proposing new rules to ensure the technology is subject to constitutional protections against illegal search and seizure.

U.S. Rep. Keith Self (R-TX-3) announced last week the introduction of the Protecting Rights in Video and Equipment Acquired Discovery (PRIVACY) Act.

Co-sponsored by U.S. Reps. Eli Crane (R-AZ-2) and Andrew Clyde (R-GA-9), the act would require federal law enforcement to obtain a warrant before accessing or querying data collected and would limit retention of the data to 30 days unless it includes evidence for prosecution or a court orders an extension.

The measure would also create a federal list of the available surveillance technologies and prohibit the use of federal funds to purchase or install the systems, with some exceptions.

“Americans’ Fourth Amendment right to be secure in their privacy does not disappear just because of new technology or artificial intelligence,” Self said in a statement.

“Americans have a constitutional right to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, and our government is supposed to get a warrant before invading that privacy. This bill simply restores that protection. Get a warrant.”

Self told The Texan that “narrow, targeted uses” of ALPR technology” could comply with the 4th Amendment.

“For example, real-time alerts for stolen vehicles or Amber Alerts when backed by probable cause and a warrant,” Self said in an emailed statement.

“However, most current ALPR deployments do not meet this standard. AI has transformed these systems into mass surveillance tools that track vehicle movements over time and store detailed historical data. Common uses include creating movement profiles without warrants, broadly sharing data with other agencies, generating ongoing geofence-style surveillance, and integrating with additional surveillance technologies.”

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