Press Release: Mai Vang Commits to Cosponsoring Federal Ban on Flock & AI-Powered Mass Surveillance
Vang is the only candidate in CA-7 committed to the Get the Flock Out of Our Communities Act. Rep. Matsui has remained silent.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 21, 2026
SACRAMENTO, CA—Councilmember Mai Vang today committed to cosponsoring the Get the Flock Out of Our Communities Act if elected to represent California’s 7th Congressional District. Rep. Rashida Tlaib (MI-12) introduced the bill on October 14. It is the only legislation in Congress written to fully prohibit federal funding for automated mass surveillance, including AI-powered license plate readers like Flock, facial recognition, and biometric tracking.
“People in our district should be able to drive to work, pick up their kids, see a doctor without a private company logging where they went and handing that record to whoever asks for it,” said Councilmember Vang. “Flock cameras went up in our district without residents ever getting a say, and the data they collect has ended up with agencies that have no business holding it. When I get to Congress, I’ll cosponsor legislation to remove Flock cameras and fight to get it passed.”
The issue hits close to home. Elk Grove alone operates nearly 90 Flock cameras within Congressional District 7. California law (SB 34) bars local agencies from sharing license plate data with federal and out-of-state agencies, yet reporting across the state has documented that data being shared with federal agencies like ICE and abusing its use.
“Our immigrant neighbors are already living with fear every time they leave the house,” said Vang. “Congresswoman Matsui has served in Congress for over twenty years and could have led on this issue or added her name to this bill. Instead, she aligns with those that disregard community input and install Flock without any safeguards. Our region deserves a representative who will stand up for our privacy and our civil liberties without being asked twice.”
Communities across the country are moving in the same direction. More than 200 cities and counties have canceled their Flock contracts in response to resident pressure, including El Cerrito, Mountain View, Oxnard, Santa Cruz, and Santa Clara County here in California. The City of Sacramento does not have a contract with Flock.
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