Republican gubernatorial nominee Tom Tiffany is calling for a pause on state funding for Flock Safety technology while Wisconsin develops stronger privacy protections governing the use of automated license plate readers and other AI-powered surveillance tools.
In a statement Wednesday, Tiffany said protecting the privacy of law-abiding Wisconsinites should come before expanding the state’s growing network of surveillance technology.
“When it comes to Flock, personal privacy needs to come first. Government should not be building an AI surveillance network that tracks law-abiding Wisconsinites everywhere they drive,” Tiffany said.
If elected governor, Tiffany said he would make the issue a “day one priority” by pausing state funding for Flock and convening a task force to develop new statewide safeguards.
Among the areas Tiffany wants the task force to address are stronger privacy protections, penalties for officials who misuse the technology, limits on how long license plate data can be retained and with whom it can be shared, and protections preventing Communist China and other foreign adversaries from accessing sensitive information.
“Traditional security cameras can help law enforcement solve serious crimes, but public safety cannot become a blank check for warrantless AI government surveillance,” Tiffany added.
The proposal comes as Flock has faced growing scrutiny over privacy concerns and cases in which law enforcement officials have allegedly abused access to automated license plate reader databases.
Tiffany also used the announcement to draw a contrast with Democratic gubernatorial nominee David Crowley, whose record on surveillance technology has come under scrutiny following his own recent calls for additional restrictions on Flock.
As previously reported by The Heartland Post, Crowley has backed red-light cameras and speed cameras and sought significant increases in Milwaukee County funding for automated license plate reader technology, including Flock, during his tenure as county executive.
“David Crowley has repeatedly sought more red-light cameras, speed cameras, and massive funding increases for automated license plate readers,” Tiffany said. “His answer has always been to give government more power to watch you.”
“I reject that ready-fire-aim approach.”
