Wasinger warns Flock cameras could fuel ‘surveillance state’
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Missouri Lt. Gov. David Wasinger is calling for tighter restrictions on Flock Safety license plate cameras, warning the technology could threaten privacy if its use is not carefully controlled.
During an interview with Newstalk KZRG, Wasinger said the cameras can help police investigate stolen vehicles, carjackings and other serious crimes. However, he said questions remain about how long information is stored, who can access it and whether the cameras could be used to track people who are not suspected of a crime.
“This is Big Brother, 1984,” Wasinger said. “You turn into the surveillance state.”
Wasinger stopped short of supporting an outright ban. Instead, he called for state leaders to work with law enforcement to establish strict limits on data storage, access, and sharing.
“There is some benefit if someone has their car stolen or if there’s a carjacking,” Wasinger said. “But we cannot allow our constitutional liberties to be violated.”
Wasinger said the rapid expansion of license plate readers across Missouri demands a closer review by state officials.
