LAPD Ends Flock Safety Contract Amid Privacy and Data Concerns

At least 10 local governments and police departments have ended or restricted their use of Flock Safety surveillance technology since summer 2023. This trend reflects growing concerns over mass surveillance, data privacy, and the sharing of data collected by these systems.

Multiple cities are encountering issues when attempting to terminate contracts with Flock Safety, with reports of the company ignoring cancellation requests, delaying camera removal, and even reactivating cameras without authorization. Plymouth, Minnesota, resorted to physically disconnecting cameras after Flock failed to respond to a cancellation vote, while Dayton, Minnesota, had cameras reconnected despite explicit instructions not to.

Plymouth Police Chief Eric Fadden physically disconnected Flock Safety's automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras after the company failed to remove them following the city council's unanimous vote to terminate the contract. The city had notified Flock of the cancellation and suspended user accounts, but received no response from the company for over a week. This action follows multiple controversies surrounding Flock's systems, including misuse by officers and privacy concerns.

Flock reinstalled two AI surveillance cameras in Dayton, Minnesota, despite the city council having suspended the license plate reader program and explicitly ordering no further work. Citizens reported spotting the cameras, leading the city to instruct the police department to remove them. This incident follows community concerns over privacy and data misuse related to Flock's technology.

St. Lucie County, Florida, will not investigate the ownership of seven unpermitted Flock surveillance cameras that disappeared after a county-wide removal mandate. This decision leaves residents concerned about who operated the cameras and what happened to the collected data.

Flock CEO Garrett Langley told police chiefs at a private conference that protests against his company's surveillance technology are not real and are driven by Russian bots. This statement follows previous accusations of Langley misrepresenting Flock's role in tracking individuals.

Flock CEO Garrett Langley told police chiefs that public backlash against his company's license plate readers is not genuine, attributing it to Russian bots and paid actors. This statement comes as Flock faces increasing scrutiny and contract cancellations over privacy concerns and alleged misuse of its surveillance technology.

Proton AG is hosting a map of over 300,000 Flock license plate reader cameras, originally created by a security researcher who faced cease-and-desist letters from Flock Safety. This move provides global access to the map, aligning with Proton's privacy focus and circumventing legal challenges faced by the original creator.

The Orange County Intelligence Assessment Center (OCIAC) issued a bulletin to California police, warning them about potential 'extremist' activity and 'emotional confrontations' at city council meetings discussing Flock surveillance cameras. The warning, obtained via FOIA, advises officers to look for 'suspicious behavior' from anti-surveillance organizers, despite stating no specific threats exist.

Flock CEO Garrett Langley defended the company's surveillance technology, stating that the benefits of crime reduction outweigh privacy concerns. Langley argued against pausing technological progress due to risks, drawing parallels to AI and autonomous vehicles.

Flock CEO Garrett Langley stated the company has not terminated contracts with any police departments despite reports of officers misusing its license plate reader systems. Langley indicated that while widespread abuse could lead to contract termination, the company has not yet reached that threshold with any customer. This comes amid ongoing controversy regarding the misuse of Flock's surveillance technology by law enforcement.

A Georgia small-business owner has sued Flock and the Coweta County Sheriff’s Office, alleging that deputies used Flock's license plate recognition system for retaliatory searches without probable cause. The lawsuit claims Flock's system lacked safeguards, allowing officers to enter arbitrary rationales for searches, which enabled the alleged misuse.

A Canadian YouTuber built an automatic license plate recognition (ALPR) camera designed to track police vehicles, mirroring technology used by law enforcement. Police visited his home to question his intentions, highlighting privacy concerns similar to those raised by public surveillance networks.

Flock Safety, a company selling AI-powered license plate readers, is reportedly planning to lay off 270 employees, representing 18% of its workforce, by the end of October. This decision follows increasing public and political opposition to its surveillance technology, leading to contract non-renewals and funding cuts in several states.

A Canadian YouTuber built an automatic license plate recognition (ALPR) camera to track police vehicles in Brampton, Ontario. Following TikTok videos detailing his project, two Peel Regional Police officers visited his home to inquire about his intentions for the collected data.

Flock Safety, a maker of AI-powered surveillance cameras, plans to cut approximately 270 employees, or 18% of its workforce. The job cuts follow a voluntary buyout program and occur as the company faces increasing opposition and scrutiny regarding its products and data practices.

Flock, a surveillance camera manufacturer, is cutting 18% of its workforce, approximately 270 employees, through a voluntary buyout program. This reduction occurs as the company faces increasing criticism over its license plate readers and people-tracking technology, which has led to privacy concerns and instances of abuse.

Body camera footage has been released showing a traffic stop where a federal judge ruled the use of Flock license plate reader data constituted an unconstitutional warrantless search. The footage illustrates how law enforcement used the system to generate suspicion without initial probable cause, leading to an illegal vehicle search despite the discovery of illegal substances.

An Oklahoma federal judge excluded automatic license plate recognition (ALPR) evidence in a meth trafficking case, citing a Supreme Court decision on geofencing. This ruling establishes that historical ALPR data searches without a warrant can violate the Fourth Amendment, influencing future cases involving digital evidence.

Senators Bernie Sanders, Jeff Merkley, and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez introduced the "Ban Flock Act" to prohibit federal agencies from using automatic license plate readers (ALPRs) and block federal funding for state and local governments that use them. The legislation cites privacy concerns and previous reporting on data sharing with federal immigration officials and protest surveillance as reasons for its introduction.

North Richland Hills, a Fort Worth suburb, demanded $2.3 million from the Texas Privacy Coalition for public records related to Flock camera usage, claiming the search would require 14 years of labor. This fee is part of a trend where some cities charge high amounts for information on AI-enabled camera systems, hindering transparency efforts by anti-surveillance groups.

A federal judge in Oklahoma ruled that a sheriff's deputy violated a woman's Fourth Amendment rights by conducting a warrantless search of the Flock Safety database for her license plate. The ruling, while not binding precedent, is one of the first federal decisions to deem a Flock search unconstitutional, raising concerns about indiscriminate mass surveillance by law enforcement.

Senator Bernie Sanders introduced the Ban Flock Act, a bill that would prohibit federal agencies from using automatic license plate readers (ALPRs) or accessing data from local police and private companies. The legislation aims to restrict government surveillance capabilities and would financially penalize state and local governments that do not comply.

A federal judge in Oklahoma ruled that a police officer's search of a California license plate in Flock's automated license plate reader (ALPR) system, without probable cause, violated Fourth Amendment rights. The ruling suggests Flock's network constitutes "indiscriminate mass surveillance" and highlights concerns about warrantless ALPR searches.

Two bills were introduced in the US Congress to address concerns over AI-powered Automatic License Plate Recognition (ALPR) cameras. Senator Hawley introduced the Stop Flock Abuse Act, while Senators Sanders and Merkley, and Representative Ocasio-Cortez, introduced a broader bill to restrict federal and state use of ALPRs and allow citizens to sue for rights violations.

St. Lucie County, Florida, discovered 11 Flock cameras operating without permits and with unidentified owners after beginning to remove authorized devices. This discovery raises concerns about unauthorized surveillance and data collection, following previous scrutiny of Flock cameras for privacy risks.

A mandate to remove Flock cameras in St. Lucie County, Florida, led to the discovery of 14 cameras, 11 of which had no clear ownership, raising privacy concerns. This incident highlights ongoing issues with Flock camera misuse by law enforcement, including officers tracking individuals for personal reasons.

VIDIZMO, a video analysis company, is advertising the capability to add facial recognition, behavior prediction, and racial/gender analysis to data collected by Flock Safety cameras, despite Flock's public stance against facial recognition. This development allows law enforcement to bypass Flock's policy by exporting data to VIDIZMO's platform for advanced surveillance. It matters because it demonstrates how third-party vendors can circumvent privacy assurances made by original surveillance technology providers.

VIDIZMO, a video analysis company, is advertising the capability to integrate facial recognition with data from Flock Safety cameras, despite Flock's public stance against facial recognition. VIDIZMO claims its platform can process Flock data for facial recognition, behavior prediction, and demographic analysis, aiming to bridge data gaps for law enforcement.

Flock Safety has issued a trademark infringement complaint against a security researcher who created a public map of Flock cameras after discovering a vulnerability. The researcher used an access token obtained without login credentials to exfiltrate a database of 335,701 camera locations, raising concerns about Flock's cybersecurity and transparency.

Lindsey Isaacs was wrongly arrested and held for 13 days, including solitary confinement, after Flock automated license plate reader (ALPR) data linked her black Dodge Durango to a fatal car accident. Police disregarded discrepancies in car color and damage, relying solely on the Flock camera data for the arrest.

404 Media is investigating the use of Axon automatic license plate reader (ALPR) cameras by law enforcement agencies, following cities' shift from Flock ALPRs due to data misuse concerns. The publication is requesting public assistance to gather information on how these cameras are being used and with whom data is shared. This investigation aims to uncover potential privacy implications and data sharing practices of Axon ALPR systems.

Flock Safety, a surveillance technology company, has offered voluntary severance packages to its employees. This move follows increased scrutiny and reported misuse of its license plate recognition technology, impacting employee morale and potentially preempting layoffs.

Flock Safety used a fabricated "Flock City PD" to conduct searches on live automated license plate readers in multiple U.S. cities during product demonstrations. This fake entity performed searches for politically sensitive terms and First Amendment-protected activities, raising concerns about the company's practices and the potential for misuse of surveillance technology.

A hacking group, stegan0gram, extracted over 27,000 video clips and 1.6 million images from a stolen Flock camera, despite the company's claims of on-device encryption requiring physical access for exploitation. The group found an encryption key on the device that unlocked a partition containing the media files, contradicting Flock's security assurances.

Hackers obtained data from a Flock Safety camera, revealing its ability to track vehicles and people, despite Flock's claims of on-device encryption. The recovered data showed the camera's software explicitly detects individuals, license plates, and bicycles, generating millions of images.

A bipartisan bill, the No FLOCK Act, has been introduced by US lawmakers to penalize states that do not restrict the use of Flock cameras and similar automated license plate readers. States failing to limit these devices to five specific use cases could lose 10 percent of their annual federal highway funding starting in October 2028, impacting transportation budgets significantly.

Hackers obtained and shared data from a Flock Safety camera, revealing details about how the company's cameras track vehicles and individuals. This incident exposes the internal workings of a widely used surveillance technology.

An Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) analysis revealed that police officers used nonsensical entries like "LMAO" or "asdfg" as reasons for searching Flock Safety's surveillance camera system. This practice highlights a lack of seriousness and oversight in the use of powerful surveillance tools by law enforcement. The findings come as Flock's automated license plate reader system faces scrutiny over privacy concerns and potential police abuse.

Local governments across the US are ending contracts with Flock, a company providing AI-enabled license plate readers, due to public privacy concerns. Despite contract cancellations, the fate of previously collected data and the immediate removal of cameras are often unclear, raising questions about data retention and potential continued surveillance.

A Flock Safety technician called 911 on an InvestigateTV reporter filming the installation of a license plate reader on a public street in Milton, Georgia. This incident highlights ongoing tensions surrounding the public recording of Flock Safety's technology, which the company claims operates in public spaces.

Garrett Langley, founder of Flock Safety, argues that sacrificing privacy through extensive surveillance is necessary to eradicate crime, envisioning a nationwide network. The company, recently valued at over eight billion dollars, began by selling license-plate-reading cameras to homeowners' associations and later partnered with law enforcement agencies. This approach raises concerns about privacy implications as the company expands its surveillance infrastructure.

Multiple jurisdictions, including the states of Texas and Florida, have recently restricted or terminated contracts with commercial surveillance firm Flock Safety due to privacy concerns and reports of police abuse. This marks a significant increase in opposition to automated license plate reader (ALPR) technology, impacting a major provider in the surveillance market.

Flock Safety, a company providing automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras, is facing increasing bipartisan opposition in the US due to privacy concerns and reported misuse by law enforcement. This backlash highlights growing public and political unease with widespread surveillance technology and its potential for abuse.

Florida's Department of Transportation has banned police from installing automatic license plate readers (ALPRs) on state roads, citing misuse and data privacy concerns. This decision requires the removal of existing ALPRs from state roads within 30 days and halts future permits, reflecting a growing response to public backlash against the technology.

Flock, a surveillance technology company, conducted a webinar demonstrating to law enforcement how to use its technology, including license plate readers and other surveillance tools, to monitor protests and public events. This revelation contradicts Flock's public statements downplaying the invasiveness of its network, highlighting broader capabilities for surveillance beyond violent crime. The company's training materials show how police can integrate various data sources for real-time monitoring of public gatherings.

The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office in Texas utilized Axon’s Draft One AI tool to help write a police report concerning their use of the Flock surveillance system to search for a woman who had a self-administered abortion. This incident highlights the increasing adoption of AI surveillance tools by law enforcement, even in sensitive cases, and raises concerns about their application in reproductive healthcare-related investigations.

Axon's CEO stated in a deleted webinar that law enforcement customers are requesting Axon's automatic license plate readers (ALPRs) be redesigned to look different from Flock cameras due to widespread vandalism targeting Flock devices. This comes as some municipalities are switching from Flock to Axon cameras following controversies over data misuse by law enforcement. The potential redesign aims to mitigate public backlash and reduce vandalism by altering the physical appearance or placement of the cameras.

Florida's Department of Transportation will cease using Flock license plate readers, citing misuse and privacy concerns, following Governor DeSantis's remarks. Texas also ordered state agencies to stop funding Flock cameras due to alleged abuse of the surveillance system, including a police officer's indictment for unauthorized database searches. These actions reflect growing concerns over data privacy, civil liberties, and reported misuse of Flock's tracking technology.

Florida's Department of Transportation has revoked permits for all automated license plate readers, including Flock cameras, on state highways, requiring their removal within 30 days. This action responds to concerns about misuse, data privacy, and surveillance, following similar moves in other states and a statement from Governor DeSantis.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has frozen state spending on Flock AI surveillance cameras following growing backlash and a Texas Tribune investigation revealing over $30 million in state expenditure on the systems. This action comes as privacy concerns regarding Flock cameras have led to bipartisan criticism and incidents of misuse by officers.

The Texas Legislature passed a law in 2023 adding a $1 surcharge to auto insurance policies to combat catalytic converter theft. A state agency, the Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority, has since allocated at least $30 million of these funds to expand the state's Flock surveillance camera network, leading to Governor Abbott pausing state funding for local grants for Flock cameras after a Texas Tribune analysis.

A Bay Area anti-surveillance group reports that 90 cities and counties terminated contracts with Flock Safety in August 2026, a fourfold increase from the previous month. This surge in cancellations is driven by concerns over surveillance, data sharing, costs, and alleged police misuse of the technology. The trend indicates growing resistance to widespread use of automated license plate readers.

A new YouGov survey indicates that 46% of Americans oppose police license plate cameras, while 38% support them, marking a reversal from previous years. This shift reflects growing privacy concerns and reports of misuse of surveillance technology by companies like Flock, which operates over 120,000 license plate readers nationwide. The increasing opposition could lead to further rejections of surveillance contracts by communities and impact the future deployment of such technologies.

Flock Safety cameras are facing widespread public opposition, including vandalism and online support for those who disable them, due to privacy concerns. This resistance highlights growing bipartisan anger against perceived tech industry overreach in surveillance.

Flock Safety CEO Garrett Langley advocated for a "compromise" between privacy and safety as his company faces increasing criticism regarding the potential misuse of its surveillance cameras and license plate recognition technology. The backlash includes accusations of police officers using Flock technology for unauthorized purposes, leading to political opposition and some policy changes by the company.

An Ohio grand jury declined to indict Cody Morelock, who was charged with felony vandalism for allegedly destroying a Flock automatic license plate reader camera in Union Township. This decision comes amidst increasing public backlash and vandalism incidents against Flock cameras nationwide, driven by privacy concerns and reported misuse by law enforcement.

Some cities are replacing Flock Safety's automated license plate readers (ALPRs) with systems from other vendors, rather than eliminating the technology entirely, despite ongoing privacy concerns from activists. This trend highlights a broader issue where municipalities are swapping surveillance providers without fully addressing public objections to mass surveillance. Flock Safety has also introduced policy changes regarding auditing, data retention, and sharing in response to criticism.

Gardner, Kansas, has canceled its contract and discontinued the use of Flock Safety license plate reader cameras due to growing concerns over data privacy and access. This decision reflects an ongoing evaluation of technology and resources by the police department and comes as automated license plate readers face increased scrutiny nationwide.

Flock is testing a new AI tool, OS Investigate (formerly Nightshift), that identifies individuals based on their driving patterns, expanding beyond license plate recognition. This tool uses a network of cameras in 6,000 communities to log driver movements, allowing law enforcement to search for people based on behavior patterns, physical descriptions, and location without requiring a specific incident or license plate. The development raises significant privacy concerns due to its broad surveillance capabilities and potential for identifying individuals through cross-referenced data.

The National Park Service (NPS) has installed Flock license plate recognition cameras in parks, including Yosemite, leading to objections from current and former rangers over privacy implications. These cameras record vehicle data, which is accessible to law enforcement, sparking a debate about surveillance in public lands.

Several Wisconsin cities and Dane County have ended their contracts with Flock Safety for automated license plate cameras due to privacy concerns. This withdrawal reduces the effectiveness of the shared camera network for remaining municipalities, as data access is diminished.

A 3D printing enthusiast created and shared a design for a slip-on cover, dubbed the "Flock Sock," intended to block Flock cameras. The design allows for easy installation using a broom handle, offering an alternative to methods like paint or trash bags that can damage cameras or be dangerous to install.

Flock, a surveillance technology startup, announced new policies and a tool called "Audit Assistance" to address potential misuse of its automated license plate camera systems. The company is requiring all customers to enable Audit Assistance by year-end, which it claims detects abnormal activity and flags it for administrator review, though details on its operation remain unclear.

Flock Safety is rolling out updates to its automatic license plate reader (ALPR) cameras, including mandatory Audit Assistance and case code requirements for searches, to address concerns about law enforcement misuse. These changes come after reports of officers abusing the system and communities canceling contracts due to privacy and data access issues. The updates aim to limit unauthorized access and track suspicious activity within the ALPR network.

Flock Safety will now require law enforcement agencies to activate features designed to audit officer use of its surveillance cameras and restrict data sharing. This change follows reports of over 50 officers misusing the system, including for stalking, and aims to address privacy concerns and potential violations of state laws.

Flock is now requiring all agencies using its license plate reader data to implement a safety tool that detects and suspends abnormal user activity, aiming to prevent misuse by law enforcement officers. This change follows the tool's optional availability since April and a specific incident in Georgia where three officers were arrested for misusing the system. Experts, including the ACLU, caution that there is no independent data verifying the tool's effectiveness.

Flock Safety is introducing mandatory audit features, case code requirements for searches, and reduced data retention periods to address concerns about law enforcement misuse of its surveillance cameras. These changes aim to limit unauthorized access and personal queries by police officers, following reports of stalking and privacy abuses.

Flock Safety, a license plate reader company, is implementing new privacy policies to address misuse of its technology by law enforcement officers. These changes include mandatory audit assistance, required case codes for searches, and client control over data sharing with other agencies.

Flock, a US surveillance firm, is implementing new safeguards to prevent police misuse of its technology, including reducing data retention to seven days and flagging abnormal searches. This change comes after public backlash and instances of police using Flock cameras and license plate readers to track individuals for personal reasons.

Flock, a surveillance technology company, is rolling out new policies and features to prevent law enforcement from misusing its tools, following reports of officers abusing the system to stalk individuals. These updates include mandatory audit assistance, required case codes for searches, and reduced data retention periods, marking a shift in the company's stance on oversight.

Government surveillance centers are monitoring social media accounts and warning local police about anti-Flock ALPR (automatic license plate reader) activities, including planned protests and vandalism. These intelligence bulletins advise increased patrols around ALPRs and identify individuals posting videos of camera destruction, indicating law enforcement is tracking opposition to mass surveillance technologies.

A New Bedford police officer faces an internal investigation and an abuse prevention order for allegedly using Flock license plate readers to track an ex-girlfriend. The New Bedford Police Department has temporarily suspended its use of the Flock system pending a review of past usage due to these allegations. This incident highlights concerns about potential misuse of powerful surveillance technology by law enforcement.

Flock, a surveillance company, planned to partner with dashcam company Nexar to use Uber, Lyft, and delivery drivers' vehicles as mobile license plate scanners, according to a presentation obtained by 404 Media. This plan would have significantly expanded Flock's license plate data collection capabilities by utilizing hundreds of thousands of rideshare and delivery vehicles.

Several U.S. cities are replacing Flock automatic license plate reader (ALPR) cameras with systems from Axon, a law enforcement contracting company. This shift indicates a trend where cities are not abandoning ALPR technology but are opting for different vendors, potentially due to privacy concerns and issues with Flock's data handling.

All eight Flock license plate reader cameras used by the Winona Police Department were cut down and stolen on August 1st, along with two additional cameras from Buffalo County. This incident represents a financial loss for the department and highlights ongoing issues with vandalism targeting this surveillance technology nationwide.

Police in Wapello County, Iowa, are being instructed to not mention the use of Flock automated license plate readers (ALPR) to vehicle occupants or in reports unless absolutely necessary, according to a policy document. This directive highlights a broader trend where law enforcement agencies are advised to be vague about ALPR usage, raising concerns about transparency and public oversight of surveillance technologies.

A leaked coaching guide from Flock surveillance instructs police on how to advocate for its automated license plate reader technology to city councils, particularly when facing public opposition. The guide advises police to proactively shape the narrative and avoid directly refuting "mass surveillance" claims, instead focusing on community safety. This guide aims to help police secure or retain contracts for Flock's technology amidst increasing scrutiny over its use and data practices.

Safety advocates report that Flock Safety's automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras are installed in ways that create roadside hazards for drivers. These cameras lack breakaway plates and are often placed too close to roads, violating safety guidelines, which could increase the severity of vehicle collisions.

Flock CEO Garrett Langley stated that the company's automated license plate readers (ALPRs) only take static pictures, contradicting previous company announcements and marketing materials that promoted live video streaming capabilities for all existing ALPRs. This discrepancy emerged after the Los Angeles Police Department let its contract with Flock expire, raising questions about the true functionality of Flock's surveillance technology.

The LAPD will not renew its contract with Flock Safety due to disagreements over data ownership and privacy regulations. This decision follows an audit revealing misidentifications, emphasizing the need for enforceable security measures in ALPR technology.

The Los Angeles Police Department will cease using Flock Safety cameras after their contract expired, citing privacy issues. Concerns include data sharing with ICE and cybersecurity vulnerabilities of the cameras themselves.

The LAPD will not renew its contract with Flock, an ALPR company, after an audit revealed 161 wrongful pulls over of innocent drivers due to misidentified stolen vehicles. This decision comes in the wake of growing concerns about the reliability of license plate reader data and its implications for civil liberties and public trust.

The LAPD is allowing its contract with Flock Safety to expire due to serious concerns over civil liberties and privacy. The decision highlights growing scrutiny over surveillance practices by police departments across the U.S.