STATEMENT: Jocelyn Benson on Flock Cameras Invading Michiganders’ Privacy

In response to growing concerns from Michiganders about the spread of Flock cameras, and fears of privacy invasion, Democratic gubernatorial nominee and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson released the below statement:

“Michiganders deserve to know when government is collecting information about them, where that information goes, and who has access to it. Right now, we’re not getting that basic transparency. I hear from people across Michigan who drive past a Flock camera every day and have no idea what happens to that picture after it’s taken: who sees it, how long it’s kept, or whether it’s shared with agencies they’ve never heard of.

“I’ve spent my career fighting for greater transparency and accountability in government. I stood up to the President when he tried to take Michiganders’ private information and use it to intimidate voters. As Governor, I’ll stand up to anyone who tries to take away your privacy. I’ll work with the legislature to pass clear rules for how these cameras are used, who can access the data, when it can be shared, and when it must be deleted. We can protect public safety and personal privacy when government is transparent about how it uses technology and is accountable for the power it has.

“John James can’t say he’ll do the same when he’s beholden to Donald Trump, who has over and over again tried to use Michigan citizens’ private information against them. Michiganders deserve a governor who answers to them, not someone who will bend the knee to Big Tech donors or the President of the United States.

“I know who I answer to: the people.”

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