(WWJ) Michigan lawmakers are trying to get a handle on Flock, without an outright ban.
State Rep. Alicia St. Germaine, R-Harrison Township, along with Reps. Ron Robinson, R-Utica, and Mike Mueller, R-Linden, have introduced a package of bills designed to establish clear restrictions and penalties for improper use of Flock cameras.
Flock is an AI-powered license plate reader system used by law enforcement and private neighborhoods. It uses cameras to automatically capture, analyze and alert authorities to passing vehicles' license plates and physical characteristics in real time.
While police say Flock is a helpful tool to catch criminals, critics argue the cameras create a warrantless mass-surveillance network that tracks everyday movements, and infringes on privacy.
Germaine said the legislation comes amid concerns from residents about what information the cameras collect, who can access it and how it can be used.
“I’ve heard from people in my district who have legitimate questions about these cameras, who can access the information, what it can be used for, who it can be shared with and how long it is kept,” St. Germaine said, in a news release. “Those concerns deserve answers, and the public deserves safeguards.”
Under the proposal, improper use of data would include searching for people who are not connected to an active alert, sharing information with unauthorized people and accessing data for personal purposes.
The legislation would establish criminal penalties for violations. A first offense would be punishable as a 93-day misdemeanor, a fine of up to $500, or both. Under the new law, if passed and signed by the governor, a second or subsequent offense would be punishable by up to four years in prison, a fine of up to $2,000, or both.
The legislation would also prohibit Flock data from being retained for longer than 30 days.
Exceptions would allow information to be preserved when it is subject to a proper preservation request or warrant, or when it is needed as part of an ongoing investigation.
“Technology changes quickly, often faster than communities can fully understand its capabilities, consider the concerns and make informed decisions about how it should be use,” St. Germaine said. “This legislation is a first step in putting reasonable safeguards in place while communities work through these issues and decide what is right for them”
State Sen. Jim Runestad introduced similar legislation in the senate.
This comes as multiple Metro Detroit-area communities have been debating the use of these cameras.
Eastpointe recently ended its contract with Flock following allegations of employee system misuse. And just this week, St. Clair Shores covered its 12 Flock cameras with black plastic bags with a six-month moratorium in place.
Other Michigan communities that have discontinued use of the Flock system include Ferndale, Westland, Clawson and Independence Township.
