U.S. Cities Ditching Controversial License Plate Cameras Amid Privacy Concerns
Cities across the United States are canceling contracts with surveillance company Flock after public backlash over its AI-enabled license plate readers, which have raised concerns about privacy and data misuse. Despite ending these agreements, many jurisdictions face uncertainty regarding what will happen to the vast amounts of data already collected by Flock’s cameras. Flock has installed more than 120,000 surveillance devices nationwide since its founding in 2017, often marketed as tools for public safety. However, reports of potential misuse and opaque data-sharing practices have led local governments to reconsider their use. Some cities are now covering or removing the cameras while others seek legal clarity on Flock’s ability to retain and access collected information. The controversy has grown bipartisan in nature, with activists urging transparency and accountability from both city officials and Flock itself. Local leaders admit they were often unaware of how third parties could access data through Flock's network.
Topics: data retention government contracts public safety surveillance technology