‘We gotta ban these dadgum things’ | Rep. Burchett introduces bill to ban federal funding for Flock cameras Burchett said he has spoken with Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs about Flock cameras, saying they need to be banned. What This Story Is About - U.S. Rep. Tim Burchett has introduced a bill to prohibit federal agencies from purchasing or accessing automated surveillance systems that identify, track or record people. Why It Matters - Flock cameras, which surveil and read license plates in public spaces, have sparked concerns about privacy from both private citizens and elected officials. What Happens Next - The bill was referred by the House of Representatives to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. For Context - On Friday, the Knox County Commission canceled a meeting to discuss the Knox County Sheriff’s Office’s proposed rollout of more than 200 Flock cameras. Catch Up - A Knox County commissioner said he was a bit blindsided by the planned rollout. He spoke to us Tuesday. - Officers outside of East Tennessee have been accused in the past of misusing Flock cameras, outlined in an investigation by our sister station in Atlanta. KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - U.S. Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN) has introduced a bill to prohibit federal agencies from purchasing or accessing automated surveillance systems that identify, track or record people. According to the bill, the Protection Against Mass Surveillance Act aims to stop federal funding for any surveillance system that tracks people through any of the following: - Automated license plate recognition system, including a Flock Safety camera - Facial recognition technology - Technology that uses biometric identification, including fingerprint, iris, retinal, voice, gait, or other personally identifiable biological characteristics - Any technology that captures, analyzes, or retains a person’s image, likeness, or other personally identifiable information