Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe on Wednesday signed an executive order to establish “strict safeguards on the use of Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) 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.”

“Protecting citizens also means protecting their constitutional rights,” Kehoe said.

“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,” he added.

KCTV has more:

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.

Until the General Assembly establishes a permanent statutory framework, Kehoe’s office is ordering the following minimum standards:

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  • 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; and
  • Prohibiting the integration of artificial intelligence facial recognition technology with ALPR systems.

“ALPR systems, including Flock cameras deployed by law enforcement agencies across the country, automatically capture license plate and vehicle information as motorists travel on public roadways. 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,” a press release from Kehoe’s office read.

“Recent documented instances of law enforcement data misuse—including the September 2026 criminal arrest of a New York Sheriff’s investigator for using Flock Safety cameras to conduct unauthorized unlawful searches—highlight national vulnerabilities and critical deficiencies in standard operating data protections and vendor transparency,” it continued.

KCUR noted:

Flock Safety cameras have garnered widespread attention and criticism in recent months. The company has more than 120,000 cameras across the country that have been used by various police departments. Law enforcement have said it’s led them to solve crimes while privacy advocates have argued that the cameras lead to significant privacy concerns over who has access to the data as well as how the cameras have collected license plate information from people who haven’t been charged with a crime.

St. Charles County Police banned Flock cameras last month after the department said a former civilian employee abused system data. A Brentwood police officer was also accused of stalking his ex-wife. St. Louis County police determined the officer made policy violations but didn’t break any laws. The Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department also announced it would also stop using Flock cameras, and immigration rights advocates have also criticized the cameras.

 

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