Editor’s Note– while this press release mentions several times that Republican Governor candidate Vivek Ramaswamy has not made any statements on these issues they failed to mention that Acton has refused a debate with him. A debate would be in the best interest of ALL Ohio voters.

COLUMBUS, OH– Amidst reports of misuse, growing concern, and increased bipartisan support to regulate the use of automatic license plate readers across Ohio,  Dr. Amy Acton announced that she would support bipartisan legislation banning the use of Flock across the state.

Acton Refuses Debate With Ramaswamy

Cleveland.com: Acton backs statewide ban on Flock cameras 

  • As growing public concern about Flock cameras has made them an increasingly significant political issue, two of the three candidates for Ohio governor this year are backing major new restrictions on the automated license plate readers.
  • Democratic nominee Amy Acton and Libertarian Don Kissick each want some sort of ban on the controversial cameras, which in recent years have been set up in thousands of communities nationwide, including dozens in Ohio.
  • …[Vivek Ramaswamy] has offered few details so far about exactly what policies and restrictions he would seek to create if elected.
  • Acton, a former state health director from suburban Columbus, “would support bipartisan legislation banning the use of Flock across Ohio” if elected governor, according to campaign spokeswoman Virginia Schaus.
  • Acton also supports a recent request from a bipartisan group of state lawmakers for the Ohio Department of Transportation to stop approvals of any new automatic license-plate readers along state highways, as well as review all existing permits, Schaus said.
  • Ramaswamy’s campaign did not respond to questions for this story, continuing a pattern of declining to answer detailed questions from The Plain Dealer and cleveland.com about the candidate’s positions on major policy issues.
  • The Republican nominee has also, so far, said little in public about what, if anything, he specifically would do about Flock cameras as governor.

Columbus Dispatch: Amy Acton now says she backs a ban on Flock cameras

  • As local leaders pause Flock camera programs over concerns about the surveillance technology, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton now says she would support bipartisan legislation to ban them.
  • Acton’s campaign now says she would support a bipartisan ban.
  • “As governor, she would support bipartisan legislation banning the use of Flock across Ohio and work to prevent the abuse of AI surveillance, because the safety and security of our communities should never come at the expense of our rights,” Acton spokesperson Virginia Schaus said. Cleveland.com first reported on Acton taking a harder line.
  • “Dr. Acton’s number one priority is keeping Ohioans safe, and she believes public safety officers should have the tools they need to protect our communities,” Schaus said. “However, it has become clear that AI-powered Flock cameras are prone to misuse and pose serious risks to Ohioans’ privacy.”
  • …[Vivek Ramaswamy] hasn’t detailed what legislation he’d support on Flock cameras.

Ohio Capital Journal: Bipartisan lawmakers urge Ohio Dep. of Transportation to halt, revoke Flock permits

  • …Late last month [Dr. Amy Acton] promised “strict guardrails” as governor to prevent abuse.
  • In a statement last week Acton went further, stating that while law enforcement should have the tools they need, “it has become clear that AI-powered Flock cameras are prone to misuse and pose serious risks to Ohioans’ privacy.”
  • Acton’s campaign went on to voice support for Rader, Dean, Brewer and Pizzuli’s effort to block permits on state highways, and added “as governor, she would support bipartisan legislation banning the use of Flock across Ohio and work to prevent the abuse of AI surveillance.”

Statehouse News Bureau: Democratic candidate for Ohio governor talks about Flock cameras and expanding gambling

  • [Dr. Amy Acton’s] now going further, saying she supports bipartisan suggestions and potential legislation to ban them.
  • “The safety and well-being of Ohioans is something I’ll always fight for. And I always say, no one in this state will ever be unseen by me,” said Acton in an interview for “The State of Ohio”. “But I want to make sure that we are using the tools that we need to keep people safe. But we can’t be doing so at the expense of our rights. And I’m excited by the bipartisan legislation we see moving forward. I would absolutely support that.”
  • …[Vivek Ramaswamy] hasn’t said what regulations he’d support on these cameras that are installed on streets to read and store license plates and vehicle images and data.

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