Morgan Griffith on License-Plate Surveillance

Public disputes over automated license-plate readers, searchable vehicle-location records, and the use or prohibition of networked camera systems.

How we classify topics

Counts show individual statements. They do not assign an overall position.

Statement history

2 statements on this page. Dates: September 2, 2026 to September 30, 2026

2 matching statements. Dates: September 2, 2026 to September 30, 2026

2 published statements. Dates: September 2, 2026 to September 30, 2026

Mixed or conditional

2 published statements. Dates: September 2, 2026 to September 30, 2026

2 statements on this page. Dates: September 2, 2026 to September 30, 2026

Morgan Griffith

Role at the time: U.S. representative (R) from Virginia's 9th District, running for reelection

September 30, 2026Mixed or conditional

Statement summary

Rep. Morgan Griffith told WSLS that some cameras have a place and that looking for someone with an outstanding arrest warrant is acceptable, but that collecting every license plate or facial-recognition image of drivers on the highway is not appropriate.

“I do think there's a place for some of the cameras, but we don't want to get to George Orwell's 1984. If you're looking for Morgan Griffith because there's a warrant out for my arrest, okay. But just collecting every license plate or every image with facial recognition that drives down the highway, that's not appropriate. That's not what America was founded on.”

Watch the original videoData centers and Flock Cameras at the center of race for Virginia's 9th Congressional District (WSLS 10 video)01:26 to 01:47

WSLS 10 video report on the 9th District race with interview clips of Rep. Morgan Griffith and challenger Joy Powers. Griffith's full answer on Flock cameras runs from 01:26 to 01:47.

Why we used this label

The reference point is whether networked license-plate reader systems such as Flock should exist and be used. Griffith says some cameras have a place and accepts using them to find a person with an outstanding arrest warrant, but objects to collecting every license plate or facial-recognition image on the highway. Accepting narrow use while rejecting blanket collection fits Mixed or conditional.

Read statement Should Flock-style license-plate surveillance networks exist?

Morgan Griffith

Role at the time: U.S. representative from Virginia

September 2, 2026Mixed or conditional

Statement summary

Morgan Griffith cosponsored the Protection Against Mass Surveillance Act, H.R. 9800, which would bar federal agencies from using plate-reader systems, including Flock cameras, and bar state and local governments from spending federal funds on them.

“No Federal agency may purchase, deploy, operate, access, or contract for any automated surveillance system that identifies, tracks, or records individuals through any of the following: (1) An automated license plate recognition system, including a Flock Safety camera.”

Read the original textProtection Against Mass Surveillance Act, H.R. 9800, introduced textSection 2 prohibition

Burchett's introduced bill would bar federal agencies from using ALPR systems and bar state and local governments from spending federal funds on them.

Archived copy

Why we used this label

The reference point is whether networked license-plate reader systems such as Flock should exist and be used. Griffith cosponsored a bill that would prohibit federal use of plate-reader systems and federal funding for state and local systems. It would not reach every state or local system, which fits Mixed or conditional.

Read statement Should Flock-style license-plate surveillance networks exist?