Andrea James calls Flock-style surveillance networks an unacceptable intrusion into privacy
Andrea JamesIndependent candidate for governor of Massachusetts, in an emailed statement from her campaign
Andrea James, an independent candidate for Massachusetts governor, said in a statement to Dispute Index that Flock-style surveillance networks are an unacceptable intrusion into privacy. She cited a lack of transparency about who can access the data, across which jurisdictions and for what purposes, and said corporate policies are no substitute for legal protections.
“Flock-style surveillance networks represent an unacceptable intrusion into privacy”
Emailed statement
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Flock-style surveillance networks represent an unacceptable intrusion into privacy, compounded by the lack of transparency surrounding who can access the data, across which jurisdictions, and for what purposes. People cannot meaningfully challenge surveillance when the collection, sharing, and use of their information remain beyond public scrutiny. Expanding AI-powered monitoring without adequate, enforceable safeguards deepens that imbalance of power. Corporate policies are no substitute for legal protections, and claims of public safety do not override civil liberties. The government must justify its surveillance, not the public its privacy.
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 Andrea James to Dispute Index on license plate readers
Flock-style surveillance networks represent an unacceptable intrusion into privacy, compounded by the lack of transparency surrounding who can access the data, across which jurisdictions, and for what purposes. People cannot meaningfully challenge surveillance when the collection, sharing, and use of their information remain beyond public scrutiny. Expanding AI-powered monitoring without adequate, enforceable safeguards deepens that imbalance of power. Corporate policies are no substitute for legal protections, and claims of public safety do not override civil liberties. The government must justify its surveillance, not the public its privacy.
About this source
Ari Goode, communications director for Andrea James's campaign for Massachusetts governor, sent this statement by email in reply to a Dispute Index request for comment, attributing it to James as an independent candidate. The link is to her campaign site; the statement itself is not published there. The text is reproduced as sent.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Before the quotation
Dispute Index asked James's campaign whether she supports, opposes or wants changes to Flock-style license plate camera networks in Massachusetts. Her communications director replied with a statement attributed to her.
After the quotation
James continued, "Corporate policies are no substitute for legal protections, and claims of public safety do not override civil liberties. The government must justify its surveillance, not the public its privacy."
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. James calls the networks an unacceptable intrusion into privacy, so we labeled it Condemned. She calls for adequate, enforceable safeguards and legal protections without naming a specific remedy such as a ban, funding cut, pause or warrant requirement, so the statement sits outside the remedy ladder.
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More from this case
Read the full caseJacob Burnett says Flock-style cameras should be done away with, with warrants required if they stay
“The systems themselves can be modified to prevent nearly all abuse and be made more secure by requiring warrants for access or follow through on any data the systems collect and have all data stored on the hardware itself preventing viewing from remote locations, requiring strict login credentials and a connecting warrant number to access. These are common sense changes that if the systems are to be used I feel could correct a lot of abuse or privacy concerns but I also feel the systems should be done away with overall, especially in the realm of predictive crime analytics.”Read statement
Dean Brewer, an independent candidate for Tennessee governor, says Flock cameras should be banned
“I believe flock cameras should be banned.”Read statement
Buddy Carter says license plate cameras help investigators but need privacy safeguards
“Technologies like license plate recognition cameras can provide valuable investigative tools, but they have also raised important questions about privacy and government oversight. As these systems become more common, it is important to balance public safety with appropriate safeguards that protect individual privacy.”Read statement
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- Andrea James calls Flock-style surveillance networks an unacceptable intrusion into privacy
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The Dispute Index. "Andrea James calls Flock-style surveillance networks an unacceptable intrusion into privacy". First published: 2026-10-05. Last updated: 2026-10-05. https://disputeindex.com/events/4605-andrea-james-an-independent-candidate-for-massachusetts-governor