Rep. Jim McGovern says Flock cameras "are awful and I don't support them at all"
Jim McGovernU.S. representative for Massachusetts's 2nd district, in an emailed statement from his office
Rep. Jim McGovern said in a statement sent by his office that Flock cameras "are awful" and that he does not support them at all, citing abuse by law enforcement, encroachment on privacy rights, and big tech companies tracking people with AI and selling the data.
“Flock cameras are awful and I don’t support them at all. This is the United States of America—we’re supposed to be a free country.”
Emailed statement
Read the full email
Flock cameras are awful and I don’t support them at all. This is the United States of America—we’re supposed to be a free country. We should be very concerned about the abuse of these devices by law enforcement and the severe encroachment on our privacy rights that they enable. People don’t want to live in a surveillance state and they sure as hell don’t want big tech companies tracking our every move using AI and then auctioning it off to the highest bidder.
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
Emailed statement
Emailed statement from Rep. Jim McGovern's office to Dispute Index on license plate readers
Flock cameras are awful and I don’t support them at all. This is the United States of America—we’re supposed to be a free country. We should be very concerned about the abuse of these devices by law enforcement and the severe encroachment on our privacy rights that they enable. People don’t want to live in a surveillance state and they sure as hell don’t want big tech companies tracking our every move using AI and then auctioning it off to the highest bidder.
About this source
Press Secretary Ryan Waterman Aldana sent this quote by email, attributed to Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA), in reply to a Dispute Index request about license plate readers. The link is to the congressman's official website; the statement itself is not published there.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Before the quotation
Dispute Index asked McGovern's office where he stands on Flock-style license plate cameras. His press secretary replied with a quote attributed to him.
After the quotation
McGovern continued, "We should be very concerned about the abuse of these devices by law enforcement and the severe encroachment on our privacy rights that they enable. People don’t want to live in a surveillance state and they sure as hell don’t want big tech companies tracking our every move using AI and then auctioning it off to the highest bidder."
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
The reference point is whether networked license-plate reader systems such as Flock should exist and be used. McGovern says he does not support Flock cameras at all and calls them awful, which rejects the systems outright, so we labeled it Condemned with the Ban or remove step.
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More from this case
Read the full caseStephen Hamilton says he opposes Flock cameras and that government "should not be building a searchable record of where innocent people travel"
“I oppose Flock cameras because privacy should apply to everyone—including the people who build and operate surveillance technology. If the people behind these systems believe their own photographs, personal information, or movements deserve protection, then why should ordinary Coloradans be treated differently? Government should not be building a searchable record of where innocent people travel. Tell law enforcement to do the job they were hired to do—investigate crimes, pursue criminals, and protect the public without turning every citizen into a surveillance target.”Read statement
Michael Addison would keep Flock cameras for criminal investigations under statewide safeguards, including judicial approval for prolonged tracking
“I would support these networks only when enforceable safeguards protect both.”Read statement
Rep. Suzan DelBene says license plate readers need clear, transparent rules and accountability for misuse
“We need regulations that ensure these tools are used in a clear, transparent way and that violations or misuse come with accountability.”Read statement
Cite this record
- Publisher
- The Dispute Index
- Title
- Rep. Jim McGovern says Flock cameras "are awful and I don't support them at all"
- First published
- Last updated
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- https://disputeindex.com/events/4503-rep-jim-mcgovern-said-in-a-statement-sent
Last updated marks the most recent saved version of this published statement.
The Dispute Index. "Rep. Jim McGovern says Flock cameras "are awful and I don't support them at all"". First published: 2026-10-03. Last updated: 2026-10-03. https://disputeindex.com/events/4503-rep-jim-mcgovern-said-in-a-statement-sent