Sanders and AOC Want to Ban AI Cameras That Track Your Car

What happened: On Friday, Senators Bernie Sanders and Jeff Merkley, along with Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, proposed a new bill called the Ban Flock Act. It aims to stop the federal government from using AI-powered cameras that read license plates and track where cars go. The bill would also block federal money from going to state and local police departments that hire companies like Flock Safety. And it would let Americans sue the government if these cameras violate their privacy.

Why it matters to you: Flock Safety has installed tens of thousands of these cameras across the country. They can record your license plate and location every time you drive past. That means if you go to the doctor, drop your kid at school, or visit a protest, the system could know. Sanders says this is like living in a surveillance state where a few companies profit from tracking your every move. Even some Republicans, like Senator Josh Hawley, are worried and have proposed their own bill.

The catch: This bill is unlikely to become law anytime soon. Congress is busy with midterm elections in November, and even if Democrats win, passing new laws is hard. The bill is more about starting a national conversation on privacy. But that conversation could lead to changes down the road. For now, the cameras keep going up, and your car keeps getting scanned.