Block said he opposed ongoing Flock use in Rhode Island and called for strong state regulation if the cameras remain.
Ken Block2026 candidate for governor of Rhode Island
Block said he opposed ongoing Flock use in Rhode Island and called for strong state regulation if the cameras remain.
“If we're going to have them, they should be strongly regulated by our state”
Original video
Where this statement fits
Should Flock-style license-plate surveillance networks exist?
Networked automated license-plate readers record passing vehicles and let agencies search or share travel records across locations. Candidates and officials disagree over whether to prohibit these networks, keep them with legal limits, or defend their use for investigations. This tracker records attributable positions on that choice, including proposals that would affect only public funding or data access.
Source and context
Original video
About this source
Ian Donnis asked Block whether he supported ongoing use of Flock license plate readers.
Ken Block answers a question about Flock license plate readers, from "One on One with Ian Donnis," Sept. 18, 2026.
Excerpt from 20:12 to 21:14 of the Rhode Island PBS video. DI added its logo in the corner.
Video: Rhode Island PBS. Excerpt used for news reporting and commentary
Watch the full original video (opens in a new tab) (relevant passage: Full interview transcript, question Do you support the ongoing use of flock automated license plate readers in Rhode Island?)
Before the quotation
Ian Donnis asked Block whether he supported ongoing use of Flock license plate readers.
After the quotation
Block cited misuse risks and government intrusion. He offered regulation as a fallback if the cameras continue.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
Relative to networked ALPR surveillance, Block combines opposition with a conditional regulatory alternative. The tracker places alternatives on the milder remedy he supports.
- Recorded on
- Published here
- People and groups discussed
- Flock Safety
More from this case
Read the full caseGluba says Flock and other license plate cameras violate the Fourth Amendment and should be removed
“They are a complete violation of community privacy and safety, they are in direct violation of the fourth amendment to the US constitution and should by law be removed immediately. They have been abused throughout the country by various LEOs and citizens alike as they have little to no security in their software. Every other day we see a new article about someone using a LPR camera system to spy on and track an ex girlfriend or boyfriend, or we see that someone has again used them to track children. They must be removed!”Read statement
Ellis would prohibit Flock-style cameras in Maryland and bar public agencies from contracting for them
“I oppose the the use of flock style cameras and would prohibit their use in Maryland. I would also prohibit any state or public agency from contracting with these surveilance tools.”Read statement
Brandenburg opposes Flock-style camera networks in Michigan
“I, Donna Brandenburg, oppose Flock and all 3rd party - Flock-style license plate camera networks in Michigan. Tracking the movements of law-abiding citizens without a warrant is an unreasonable search under the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and Article 1, Section 11 of the Michigan Constitution, which expressly protects 'electronic data and electronic communications.' As governor, I would end state participation in these surveillance networks, require a warrant based on probable cause before any data is collected or accessed, and order existing data on innocent drivers destroyed.”Read statement
Share or embed this statement
The embed keeps its attribution link to The Dispute Index. Credit the image to The Dispute Index and link to the statement page.
Cite this record
- Publisher
- The Dispute Index
- Title
- Block said he opposed ongoing Flock use in Rhode Island and called for strong state regulation if the cameras remain.
- First published
- Last updated
- Permalink
- https://disputeindex.com/events/3543-block-said-he-opposed-ongoing-flock-use-in
Last updated marks the most recent saved version of this published statement.
The Dispute Index. "Block said he opposed ongoing Flock use in Rhode Island and called for strong state regulation if the cameras remain.". First published: 2026-09-30. Last updated: 2026-09-30. https://disputeindex.com/events/3543-block-said-he-opposed-ongoing-flock-use-in