Burlison backs Flock camera ban until stronger privacy protections are in place

U.S. Rep. Eric Burlison says he could support temporarily banning Flock license plate reader cameras until stronger privacy protections are put in place.

The southwest Missouri Republican told Newstalk KZRG that while the cameras can help law enforcement solve crimes and locate missing people, he is concerned about the amount of information they collect and how that data could be used in the future.

“I don’t want to live in a state where — or in a nation where — some kind of George Orwell dystopia where everything you do is being tracked and monitored and stored,” Burlison said.

Flock cameras are automated license plate readers used by law enforcement agencies to identify vehicles connected to crimes and other investigations.

Burlison said the technology can provide legitimate public safety benefits, including helping officers locate vehicles involved in Amber Alerts.

But he said those benefits must be balanced against Americans’ privacy and constitutional rights.

“What are we sacrificing here?” Burlison said. “We’re sacrificing our individual personal liberty, our privacy, our rights.”

Burlison also pointed to restrictions imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic, saying similar surveillance technology could have been used to track whether people were complying with government orders.

Asked whether he favors banning the cameras or changing how they are used, Burlison said he would be open to a ban while lawmakers consider additional safeguards.

“I think that until we can reform them, I think that I would be fine with having a ban,” Burlison said.

He said potential changes could include limits on how long data is stored and restrictions on federal access to information collected by local agencies.

Burlison said any future rules should allow law enforcement to use technology while protecting First and Fourth Amendment rights.