Representative Dean to Introduce Ohio Freedom from Mass Surveillance Act

COLUMBUS—State Representative Levi Dean (R-Xenia) will soon introduce the Ohio Freedom from Mass Surveillance Act, which works to protect the constitutional rights of Ohioans.

The bill would prohibit government entities from deploying mass surveillance technologies, such as Flock cameras, or accessing surveillance footage without a search warrant. It would also prohibit individuals and entities from selling surveillance data.

Dean issued the following statement on the measure: 

“I fully support catching criminals. I support giving law enforcement the tools they need to keep our communities safe. But protecting innocent people matters, too.

Flock cameras and automatic license plate readers can be valuable tools, but a tool that can track the movements of innocent Americans can also be abused in the wrong hands. 

Think about your worst enemy having that kind of power. Now think about what the widespread use of these systems could have meant during lockdown orders or under a government that decided where you could go, who you could visit, or what activities were acceptable.

The Fourth Amendment was written long before this technology existed, but the principle has not changed. Government power must have limits. We don’t have to choose between catching criminals and protecting our constitutional rights. We can do both.

I will always stand for safe communities, strong law enforcement, and the constitutional freedoms of innocent Americans.”

Once introduced, the legislation will receive a bill number and House committee assignment.