KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – As the debate over Flock cameras rages across the country, Missouri’s top politician is looking to create policies regarding their use.
Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe signed an executive order on Wednesday morning to establish “strict safeguards on the use of Automated License Plate Reader technology, including Flock Safety cameras, to prevent the misuse of the personal location data of Missourians while preserving legitimate law enforcement uses of the technology.”
The document directs the Missouri Department of Public Safety to compose guardrails for state agencies and state-funded local law enforcement organizations using ALPR technology.
Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe speaks to attendees during the Governor’s Ham Breakfast at the Missouri State Fair Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Sedalia, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)(Charlie Riedel | AP)
Until the General Assembly establishes a permanent statutory framework, Kehoe’s office is ordering the following minimum standards:
Requiring most license plate and vehicle data to be permanently deleted within 30 days;Prohibiting vendors from selling, sharing, or commercializing Missouri-generated data;Limiting the use of ALPR technology to legitimate criminal justice and lifesaving purposes;Requiring accountability measures to prevent and penalize misuse; andProhibiting the integration of artificial intelligence facial recognition technology with ALPR systems.
“Protecting citizens also means protecting their constitutional rights,” said Kehoe in a release. “The unchecked collection and indefinite storage of location data belonging to law-abiding citizens raises substantial, valid constitutional and privacy concerns. The government should not be building a permanent record of where law-abiding Missourians go, who they visit, or how they live their daily lives. This executive order is the first step in creating safeguards against abuse of this data, while still understanding the benefits of these vital public safety tools for law enforcement.”
Days ago, the City of Parkville suspended its Flock license plate reader program following a report from KCTV5. Blue Springs police, however, expanded their program earlier this year.
FILE — Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe signed an executive order on Wednesday morning to establish “strict safeguards on the use of Automated License Plate Reader technology, including Flock Safety cameras.”(wkyt)
Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley launched an investigation two weeks ago into Flock Safety’s AI-powered cameras. He claimed there are more than 120,000 cameras across 49 states and more than 20 billion vehicles are being scanned every month.
The Missouri senator said he wants law enforcement to have tools to catch criminals, “but Americans do not surrender their privacy rights when they drive to work, drop their kids off at school, or go to church.”
While the technology can assist legitimate criminal investigations, recent reports of improper searches and other misuse have underscored the need for stronger protections governing who can access this information, how it may be used, and how long it may be retained, Kehoe stated.
Local agencies are encouraged to commit to the best practices suggested by the governor, where possible under existing contracts and law, as policymakers work toward a statutory framework.
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