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Flock, Axon dodge Senate hearing after invite from Chair Josh Hawley
CNBC • • nation
Key Points:
- Senators Josh Hawley and Dick Durbin invited surveillance companies, including Flock, to testify about their AI-powered license plate reader networks amid rising scrutiny over privacy concerns.
- The hearing highlighted fears that such technology could create a nationwide surveillance network infringing on civil rights, especially after misuse incidents like the charging of five Indiana police officers.
- Flock's network offers customers access to a vast database of billions of images from around 120,000 cameras, raising alarms about the scale and reach of surveillance capabilities.
- Company leaders from Flock, Axon, and Motorola did not attend the hearing, prompting bipartisan criticism and calls for subpoenas to compel testimony.
- Flock stated it is committed to preventing misuse of its technology and supports clear legislation regulating its use, while reports indicate the company may be considering a sale.
