Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), serving as the chair of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism, has officially launched an investigation into the surveillance practices of Flock Safety. The company, which deploys a network of cameras capable of capturing license plate data and vehicle information, has become a primary focus of Hawley’s oversight efforts regarding digital privacy.

In a formal letter addressed to Flock Safety CEO Garrett Langley, Senator Hawley requested detailed information regarding the company's data storage policies and the specific entities that have access to the information captured by their devices. The investigation seeks to clarify how the company manages the massive volume of data collected from its cameras, which are utilized by both private homeowners' associations and local law enforcement agencies across the United States.

While the company maintains that its technology is a vital tool for solving crimes and improving public safety, critics and lawmakers have raised concerns about the potential for mass surveillance and the lack of transparency regarding how long data is retained and who can view it. Hawley’s inquiry is part of a broader push by some members of Congress to examine the intersection of private technology companies and public law enforcement surveillance. As of now, the investigation is in its early stages, and the company has not yet provided a public response to the specific demands outlined in the Senator's letter.