Gov. Josh Shapiro said Friday that he would welcome bipartisan legislation banning Flock cameras across Pa., weighing in on the controversial technology as lawmakers consider how to regulate it. Shapiro made the comments during an unrelated public safety event in Montgomery County’s Upper Morel and Township on Aug. 28. He said Pennsylvania State Police do not use Flock cameras and made clear he does not support the technology. “I would welcome bipartisan legislation to ban these across the state,” Shapiro said. “This is not something I support. This is not something in the public interest. I think law enforcement needs to have tools to keep communities safe. Flock cameras are not a tool that I support.” Flock Safety’s license plate cameras are used by law enforcement agencies in communities across the country to track vehicles and help solve crimes. The cameras have also generated concerns about privacy and potential misuse of the data they collect. Earlier in August, Flock announced changes to how data collected by its cameras can be stored and accessed. The company said the changes are intended to strengthen privacy, accountability and security. Those changes include a shorter default period for retaining data. Flock also more widely introduced a system designed to lock out users whose searches display what the company calls abnormal activity. Despite the new safeguards, the technology continues to face scrutiny in Pa. Several pieces of legislation involving license plate cameras are being discussed in Harrisburg. One proposal would establish safeguards for personal information and create civil penalties for unauthorized use, access or disclosure. Another proposed measure could address the use of the cameras on state property. NBC10 reached out to Flock Safety on Friday for a response to Shapiro’s comments. “Flock’s technology is an important public safety tool for law enforcement agencies across Pennsylvania, helping officers solve serious crimes and find missing people,” a Flock Safety spokesperson wrote. “A blanket ban would take a proven investigative tool away from communities and officers who rely on it. We support thoughtful, bipartisan legislation that puts strong privacy, transparency, and accountability guardrails in place while preserving law enforcement’s ability to use technology responsibly to keep people safe.” This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC Philadelphia. AI tools helped convert the story to a digital article, and an NBC Philadelphia journalist edited the article for publication. ...read more read less