The vibes are bad for Flock in Washington

A Congressional hearing examined concerns about automated license plate readers, particularly one company whose technology has drawn criticism from lawmakers on both sides. The hearing highlighted worries that these cameras collect location data on Americans who haven't been accused of crimes, can store that information for extended periods, and may be vulnerable to unauthorized access or misuse by officers and federal agencies. Senators raised specific concerns about how the technology could be used to track people across state lines for sensitive activities like seeking reproductive care or purchasing firearms. The hearing revealed that lawmakers are still in early stages of understanding this technology and considering whether to pursue legislation to restrict it, though the path forward remains uncertain.