1. United States
2. Md.
3. Letter

I'm writing to ask that you support amendment Perry 221 to the Highway Bill limiting use of Flock and other automated license plate readers. Automated license plate readers (ALPRs) like Flock are surveillance cameras that scan and store license plate data and "contextual images" that can include people in and around the car from countless Washington drivers every day – and then store them in databases that may or may not be secure. ALPRs allow police, other governmental agencies, and bad actors who can hack into the system to know where people drive and when. This opens the way for criminals and stalkers to follow their target throughout their day without the victim being aware. Washington state recently passed a bill to put some guardrails on ALPR usage, but even the bill's sponsor agreed that it's just a first step. Now, there's an opportunity to limit Flock – and ALPRs in general – nationally. Congress must shield and protect Americans from this invasive warrantless surveillance technology that threatens privacy, civil liberties, and constitutional rights.