President Donald Trump on Monday offered his first public comments on the controversial automated license plate readers commonly known as Flock cameras, saying the surveillance technology has both benefits and drawbacks and hinting that his administration would soon take a formal position.
Asked by Daily Caller White House correspondent Reagan Reese whether he had heard of the devices and the concerns that police might misuse them, Trump responded that the matter is currently under review.
“Well, it’s being studied right now,” Trump said. “You know, you have pros and cons, right? It’s being studied right now. We’ll have an answer sort of as to our views on it over the next couple of weeks.”
The cameras, officially called automated license plate readers (ALPRs), are widely sold by the company Flock Safety. They capture information about every vehicle that passes, including license plate numbers, make, model, color, and distinguishing features—such as bumper stickers, custom paint, or visible damage—according to reporting by The Daily Wire.
That data is stored by Flock on behalf of its customers, allowing law enforcement and other clients to track vehicles and, in some cases, intercept those tied to criminal activity.
Supporters Cite Safety, Critics Cite Privacy
Proponents of the technology argue it helps keep communities safe and can save lives. They also contend the cameras are not an infringement on freedom because the vehicles are in plain sight and therefore legally observable.
Opponents, however, view the cameras as an invasion of privacy that could easily be abused by those with access, including law enforcement. The pushback has drawn bipartisan support, with sitting members of Congress from both parties—Reps. Thomas Massie (R-KY), Tim Burchett (R-TN), Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL), Jesus “Chuy” Garcia (D-IL), and Scott Perry (R-PA)—all speaking out against the surveillance technology.
In an opinion piece published by The Daily Wire last month, David Dunmoyer of the Texas Public Policy Foundation called the cameras “an assault” on Americans’ “constitutional freedoms.” Dunmoyer highlighted how sophisticated the technology has become with the addition of artificial intelligence and warned that Americans still do not know what “price” this supposed safety feature will cost them—and that they “also have no say in the matter.”
Trump’s comments mark the first time he has publicly addressed the growing debate over Flock cameras, leaving both advocates and critics waiting to see where the administration lands.
Source: www.dailywire.com — https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-weighs-in-on-controversial-flock-cameras