Flock Safety Tightens Safeguards as States, Cities Question Surveillance Network
The company is adding audit tools, case-number requirements and shorter retention as police misuse cases and public concern pressure its surveillance network.
- On Thursday, Flock Safety announced new restrictions on its surveillance network, including mandatory case codes for searches and reduced data retention from 30 days to seven, addressing public concerns about police misuse.
- Following dozens of reported cases of police abuse, including the arrest of three Georgia deputies on Monday and investigation of a Massachusetts officer, the company moved to strengthen safeguards against unauthorized surveillance.
- Flock operates more than 120,000 license plate readers in at least 6,000 cities. Flock CEO Garrett Langley said, "I'm sorry that the system has failed you. I'm sorry that you no longer trust the police department."
- The American Civil Liberties Union argues that police can easily circumvent the new safeguards, noting officers previously bypassed search-purpose restrictions by entering vague explanations before Flock implemented approval lists.
- Recent research found error rates ranging from 30% to 70% in Flock camera systems, yet the new rules apply only to law enforcement, leaving cities exempt from accountability requirements.
43 Articles
43 Articles
Police Drones and License Plate Networks Quietly Build a Sky-High Surveillance Web
Police departments across the U.S. have embraced two technologies that together paint an unprecedented picture of daily American life. Automated license plate readers from companies like Flock Safety track vehicles on the ground. Drones, increasingly launched as first responders, peer from above. The combination raises alarms among civil liberties groups. Communities have begun to push back. Flock Safety alone has installed some 120,000 cameras.…
Hastings Tribune
Flock Safety tightens safeguards as states, cities question surveillance network
Flock Safety is tightening privacy and oversight controls for its nationwide network of automated license plate readers as more communities pull back from the technology and lawmakers across the political spectrum push for new restrictions.
Thought to help the police find suspects, Flock's network has also been used to monitor relatives, pushing the company to review its safeguards in the midst of controversy. ...
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