Flock faced intense scrutiny at a US Senate hearing over its automated licence plate-reader network, despite its chief executive declining to testify. Lawmakers from both parties raised concerns about mass location tracking, data security and potential misuse, signalling that debate over the company and the wider surveillance industry has moved from local disputes into Congress.

The hearing heard testimony from experts, a sheriff who ended a Flock contract and a Florida woman who said an incorrect vehicle identification led to 13 days in jail. Senators noted that ALPR systems can retain location data for about a month and questioned whether immigration officials, abortion investigators or others could exploit loopholes to obtain searches; cybersecurity expert Benn Jordan said Flock’s security had improved but that wider industry problems remained.