Candidate Claimed Use of Flock Camera Data

A North Carolina candidate faces criticism after admitting she used license plate reader data for personal use.

Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Elections

Candidate Claimed Use of Flock Camera Data

Live Poll

Should private citizens be able to access vehicle-location data collected by automated camera systems?

Evonne Hopkins, a family law attorney and candidate for North Carolina House District 35, stated she utilized Flock camera data to investigate claims of marital infidelity. Critics have questioned the legality of her access, as state law restricts the use of such law enforcement data.

Why it matters

The incident highlights growing concerns over data privacy and the potential for abuse within surveillance programs. With license plate reader systems becoming a permanent fixture in North Carolina, the case raises questions about oversight and access controls for private entities.

North Carolina state law mandates a maximum data retention limit of 90 days for license plate reader information. Improper disclosure of this law-enforcement data is a Class 1 misdemeanor.

The players

Evonne Hopkins

She is a family law attorney and a candidate for North Carolina House District 35.

Josh Stein

He is the Governor of North Carolina who signed the state budget that cemented the use of license plate reader technology.

The details

Flock cameras operate by photographing vehicles and converting plates into searchable logs of time and location. Previous incidents have involved law enforcement officials in Charlotte-Mecklenburg and Mooresville facing accusations of searching these databases for non-official purposes.

March 15, 2026: The state pilot program for license plate readers concluded.
July 7, 2026: Governor Josh Stein signed a state budget making the plate reader program permanent.
September 2026: New Hanover County commissioners voted to terminate the county's contract with Flock.

Political Context

Opponents of expanded surveillance argue that existing oversight measures are insufficient to prevent civil liberty violations. Advocacy groups continue to press for stricter audit requirements to ensure that data is not weaponized for personal or political motives.

Residents should be aware that their license plate data is subject to collection and potential storage by both private and public entities. This raises direct concerns for citizens regarding how personal movement logs are protected from unauthorized access or misuse.

The takeaway

The use of automated license plate reader data by non-law enforcement officials serves as a warning about the risks inherent in mass data collection. Voters and residents are encouraged to review local policies regarding how their data is shared and who holds the keys to access it.