Technology
Josh Hawley expands AI vehicle surveillance inquiry to Motorola, Verkada, and Axon
The Senate Judiciary subcommittee chairman is seeking records on data retention, search access, and misuse safeguards across automated camera networks.
The short version
- Sen. Josh Hawley sent inquiry letters to Motorola Solutions, Verkada, and Axon Enterprise regarding their AI-assisted camera and vehicle-tracking networks.
- The inquiry demands information on vehicle data search parameters, retention timelines, verified misuse incidents since 2021, and law enforcement justifications.
- The move follows a similar request to Flock Safety amid broader state-level pushback against automated license plate readers in Texas and Florida.
- It remains to be seen what specific policy or legislative measures the Senate subcommittee may pursue following the companies' responses.
Key facts
- Sen. Josh Hawley issued formal inquiries to Motorola Solutions Inc., Verkada Inc., and Axon Enterprise Inc. regarding the data handling practices of their AI surveillance networks.[Fox News]
- The lawmaker asked the companies to detail customer search breadths, license plate data retention spans, confirmed misuse cases since 2021, and requirements for law enforcement search justifications.[Fox News]
- The expanded probe follows an August 26 inquiry sent to Flock Safety, which operates approximately 120,000 cameras across every U.S. state except Alaska.[Fox News]
- Spokespersons for both Axon and Flock Safety indicated that their companies intend to engage with Hawley's office and cooperate with the committee's inquiries.[Fox News]
- State-level actions against automated reader networks have also expanded, including Texas Gov. Greg Abbott barring state spending on Flock cameras and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis ordering the removal of license plate readers from state roadways.[Fox News]
What remains uncertain
- Motorola Solutions and Verkada have not yet publicly detailed their formal responses or stated whether they will comply with the inquiry.[Fox News]