Bernie Sanders Warns: 1.2 Million AI Cameras Track Americans' Movements

On Tuesday, Senator Bernie Sanders warned about the expanding reach of Flock Safety's AI-driven license plate recognition network, as privacy concerns and allegations of police abuse trigger a nationwide backlash.

Bernie Sanders Calls Flock Cameras 'Mass Surveillance'

Sanders launched an attack on Flock Safety, stating the company has installed nearly 100,000 cameras across the United States and warning the technology can track Americans' movements.

"Going to the doctor? Flock knows," Sanders wrote on X. "Taking your kids to school? Flock is tracking you."

"Flock is always watching," he added, calling for an end to "AI mass surveillance."

AI surveillance company Flock has installed nearly 100,000 cameras across the country to track your every move.

Going to the doctor? Flock knows.

Taking your kids to school? Flock is tracking you.

Flock is always watching.

Stop AI mass surveillance. Stop Flock.

— Senator Bernie Sanders, August 18, 2026

Flock, the manufacturer of automated license plate recognition systems, told Axios the company has over 120,000 cameras nationwide. These cameras use AI to capture license plates and other vehicle characteristics, as well as the time and location of sightings.

Flock did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Flock Faces Growing Privacy Backlash

Supporters say the technology helps police identify suspects, recover stolen vehicles, and locate missing persons. Flock says its network assisted in approximately 1 million police investigations last year and helped find around 10,000 missing persons, Axios reported.

However, critics argue that creating searchable records of vehicle movements amounts to continuous surveillance, threatening civil liberties.

These concerns have intensified following investigations into alleged misconduct by police officials. According to reports, in Reynoldsburg, Ohio, an internal investigation found an officer used Flock more than 40 times to track a former intimate partner.

Cities Push Back, Flock Adds Privacy Protections

The backlash has prompted communities to cancel or reconsider Flock contracts. Lago Vista, Texas, voted unanimously to end its agreement, while Denver ended its Flock arrangement in February.

Flock has responded by enforcing misuse detection and, in some cases, reducing the default data retention period from 30 days to 7 days.

Flock Faces Backlash Over Privacy and ICE Issues

Earlier this year, Amazon.com, Inc. Ring announced it was ending its integration with Flock Safety due to strong backlash against the partnership.

In 2025, 404 Media reported that Immigration and Customs Enforcement has no formal agreement with Flock Safety, but internal data shows local police departments frequently search the company's system for immigration-related information at ICE's request.

According to a statement on the company's website, Flock says it does not work with ICE or any other subagency within the Department of Homeland Security.