Senate Puts AI Surveillance Companies on Notice Amid CEO No-Shows
Senate lawmakers on Wednesday grilled the growing AI surveillance industry during a Judiciary Committee hearing, even as the CEOs of major players—including Flock, Axon, Motorola Solutions, and Verkada—chose not to appear.
The Senate Judiciary crime and counterterrorism subcommittee hearing focused on what critics have dubbed the "AI Surveillance Network," with committee chair Josh Hawley (R-MO) singling out Flock as the company that "stands out above the rest."
"If you haven't heard of Flock, all I have to say is, Flock's probably heard of you," Hawley said, according to The Verge.
Despite the executive absences, the hearing drew significant interest. A standby line reportedly stretched down the hallway as lawmakers pressed forward with questioning witnesses about the rapid deployment of license plate readers and other AI-powered surveillance tools by law enforcement agencies nationwide.
The no-shows drew sharp rebukes from committee members, who framed the refusal to testify as dismissive of congressional oversight. The hearing highlighted growing bipartisan concern over the proliferation of AI-enabled surveillance technologies and questions about data retention, privacy safeguards, and the lack of federal regulation governing their use.
Flock's systems are used by thousands of police departments across the United States, capturing and analyzing vehicle data in real time. Privacy advocates have long raised concerns about the scope of such surveillance networks and the potential for misuse.