Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), who leads the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism, has expanded his investigation into Flock Safety’s roadside cameras to include artificial intelligence (AI) surveillance systems operated by three other companies: Motorola Solutions Inc., Verkada Inc., and Axon Enterprise Inc. Hawley stated on social media that Flock Safety is not the only company involved in extensive surveillance, as others are also deploying large camera networks enhanced by AI, which he claims could infringe on the privacy of Americans. He has sent letters to the top executives of these companies, asking for details about their policies regarding how long they retain and how they use the data collected by their AI-powered camera systems. The Hill has contacted all three companies for their response. Last week, Hawley sent a letter to Flock Safety’s CEO, Garrett Langley, expressing concerns about the company’s extensive network of over 120,000 cameras in 49 states. He argued that the system lacks sufficient safeguards, leading to potential misuse of personal data. Flock Safety has drawn public criticism after reports surfaced that some police officers used the surveillance network to monitor ex-partners. In response, several police departments have terminated their contracts with the company due to concerns about the lack of security and oversight. In a separate development, GOP Rep. Thomas Massie (Ky.) introduced the Flock-Off Act in the House this week. The proposed legislation would prevent federal funding from being used for automated license plate reader cameras and biometric surveillance systems. Massie stated in a press release that the federal government should not support cities and police departments that have overstepped their bounds, turning communities into something akin to the dystopian surveillance state depicted in the novel 1984. Flock Safety responded to the proposed bill by warning that it could negatively affect public safety. A company spokesperson told The Hill that instead of banning such tools, Congress should focus on implementing strong safeguards to ensure accountability and responsible use. The spokesperson emphasized that it is possible to protect both privacy and provide law enforcement with the necessary tools to ensure community safety.