Missouri governor signs executive order to establish safeguards against Flock cameras, other lice...
The short version: Missouri's governor signed an executive order aimed at curbing misuse of Flock and other ALPR systems, but an order isn't a law—and that distinction matters.
Our Take
Credit to KMBC 9 for covering this: Missouri's governor putting pen to paper on ALPR safeguards is a notable moment, and it shows the political pressure around Flock Safety cameras is finally reaching statehouses. But let's be clear-eyed about what an executive order actually is. It's a directive from one administration, not a statute passed by lawmakers. The next governor can rewrite or scrap it with a signature, and depending on how it's worded, enforcement mechanisms and penalties for violations may be thin or nonexistent.
That doesn't mean this is meaningless. Executive action can set retention limits, restrict data sharing with out-of-state or federal agencies, and force some transparency around how local police are using these networks. Those are real wins if implemented and audited. The bigger question is whether Missouri follows up with actual legislation that survives changes in administration and gives residents a legal hook to challenge abuse when it happens—because self-policing by police departments running thousands of cameras has a track record of failing.
If you're in Missouri or anywhere else, don't wait for Springfield or your state capitol to protect you by default. Check our map to see what's already watching your plates, and use our take-action resources to push for real, durable limits—not just a press release.
This is DeFlock The USA’s original commentary. The video above is the work of KMBC 9, published on YouTube — full credit to the creator.