Communities across the United States are increasingly pushing back against the deployment of AI-enabled license plate readers manufactured by Flock Safety, sparking a rare bipartisan movement concerned about government surveillance and privacy rights.

In Asheville, North Carolina, a city known for its progressive leanings, members of the local government expressed apprehension that the cameras could be used to monitor political dissidents, transgender individuals, and undocumented immigrants. Despite Asheville Police Department officials highlighting the technology’s role in recovering stolen vehicles, locating children abducted by relatives, and aiding criminal investigations—including one following a Fourth of July weekend shooting—the City Council voted 5-2 to terminate its contract with Flock Safety. The decision came amid broader worries about privacy threats and the cameras’ installation without substantial community input.

Meanwhile, approximately 95 miles to the south in Oconee County, South Carolina, a predominantly conservative area, residents have voiced concern that the cameras infringe on constitutional privacy protections. The opposition has manifested in public meetings marked by readings from the Federalist Papers, reflecting a deep-rooted skepticism toward government overreach. Under the leadership of Matthew Durham, chair of the all-Republican county council, local activists collaborated across political lines to pass a Protection From Mass Surveillance Ordinance, effectively ending the use of Flock cameras in the county.

This convergence of views from politically diverse communities highlights a growing national backlash against mass surveillance technologies. Over 100 municipalities across the country have either paused or discontinued contracts with Flock Safety amid mounting bipartisan calls for tighter regulations governing the use of such systems.

Garrett Langley, CEO of Flock Safety, acknowledged the criticisms but emphasized the company’s continued expansion and the recent implementation of additional safeguards to prevent misuse of the technology.

The debate encapsulates broader tensions in American society about balancing public safety benefits with privacy rights and the scope of government monitoring. As adoption of AI-driven surveillance tools increases, communities from opposite ends of the political spectrum are finding common ground in demanding limits and accountability.