Gov. Kehoe signs order to rule on Flock, license plate cameras in Missouri

MISSOURI (KQTV) -- Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe has signed an executive order putting stricter guidelines in place for the use of Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) technology, including Flock Safety cameras. 

The goal is to help prevent the misuse of Missourians’ personal location data while still allowing law enforcement to use the technology for legitimate purposes. 

Until the General Assembly puts a permanent law in place, the executive order establishes several minimum standards, including: 

• Most license plate and vehicle data must be permanently deleted within 30 days. 

• Vendors cannot sell, share, or commercialize data collected in Missouri. 

• ALPR technology can only be used for legitimate criminal justice and lifesaving purposes. 

• Accountability measures must be in place to help prevent and penalize misuse. 

• AI and facial recognition technology cannot be integrated with ALPR systems. 

These guidelines are intended to balance public safety with Missourians’ privacy and protection of their personal location data. 

Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley launched an investigation into Flock Safety’s AI-powered cameras two weeks ago. 

In the meantime, local agencies are encouraged to follow the governor’s suggested best practices when they can, within the limits of existing contracts and state law, as policymakers work toward creating a statutory framework.