Rep. Stutzman Files Bill to Bar Federal Agencies From Flock Data
The Don’t Spy on Me Act seeks to stop the federal government from accessing vehicle fingerprinting databases, a move Stutzman calls a privacy fix.
By Carlos Rousseau ·
Indiana Congressman Marlin Stutzman has introduced a federal bill to stop law enforcement agencies from using vehicle fingerprinting databases. The Don’t Spy on Me Act, filed in early 2026, would prohibit federal use of systems that match license plates with other vehicle details such as make, model, color, body damage, and bumper stickers.
Stutzman, a Republican, called the current federal use of these tools an unconstitutional invasion of privacy. He noted that both liberal and conservative groups have opposed the technology, suggesting it could be an area for bipartisan cooperation in the new Congress, which has substantial Democratic majorities.
The legislation follows a local controversy in Fort Wayne, the largest city in Stutzman’s northeast Indiana district. Following public debate over automated license plate readers, the Fort Wayne Police Department ended its contract with Flock, a major provider of the technology. Stutzman said he was in contact with Fort Wayne leaders during that dispute.
“They can have a warrant to access information, but we don’t want the federal government to be using the Flock data system as their own system,” Stutzman said. He added that he personally wants Flock cameras outlawed entirely because no company or government should have that information so readily available.
While Stutzman supports body cameras and dash cams, he argues that general surveillance cameras everywhere violate the Constitution. The Don’t Spy on Me Act remains in the legislative process, with no further action scheduled in the source material.
