Flock Safety faces scrutiny over surveillance misuse and privacy concerns

Flock Safety automated license plate readers surveillance technology privacy rights law enforcement oversight

Flock Safety, a provider of automated license plate reader (ALPR) technology, is facing intense scrutiny following reports of law enforcement misuse. A Washington Post investigation identified 46 cases where officers allegedly used the platform for unauthorized purposes, including personal stalking. In response, CEO Garrett Langley has called for a national “compromise” to balance public safety with individual privacy.

To address these concerns, Flock Safety has implemented several changes, including reducing the default data retention period from 30 to seven days and introducing an audit tool to flag abnormal search activity. Despite these measures, the company faces significant opposition. In the United States, several lawmakers have introduced legislation to restrict or ban the technology, such as Representative Tim Burchett’s Protection Against Mass Surveillance Act.

Local governments are also reacting. The Moffat County Sheriff’s Office in Colorado has announced it will end its contract with Flock Safety by the end of 2026, citing concerns over cost, privacy, and data control. Additionally, legal challenges are mounting, including a lawsuit in Genesee County, Michigan, filed by student Josh Tewolde seeking access to camera locations and audit logs.

Entities

ACLU · American Civil Liberties Union · Bernie Sanders · Christopher Goodson · Cristian Morales · Dayton City Council · East Bridgewater Police Department · Flock Safety · Garrett Langley · Grafton Police Department · Institute for Justice · Josh Tewolde

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 2 SOURCES] Flock is attempting to establish privacy legislation based on its own company policies. www.griffonnews.com · www.sgtreport.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] The Germantown Police Department installed a Flock camera at Kinderberg Park to deter vandalism.
[● 2 SOURCES] Flock previously had a policy of holding data for 30 days, which recently changed to seven days. www.griffonnews.com · www.jalopnik.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] The Green Bay Police Department's 2025 annual audit found no evidence of Flock data misuse. www.wpr.org
[○ 1 SOURCE] A Menasha Police officer was sentenced to six months in jail for using Flock cameras to track an ex-girlfriend. www.wpr.org
[○ 1 SOURCE] Green Bay police have suspended sharing Flock data with agencies outside of Brown County during a policy review. www.wpr.org
[○ 1 SOURCE] Carter's unauthorized searches included himself, friends, other deputies, and former associates. www.police1.com
[● 2 SOURCES] An internal audit in Harris County, Texas, led to the suspension of access for three deputies regarding the use of Flock cameras. ca.news.yahoo.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] Ruben Carter was fired on August 20. www.police1.com
[● 2 SOURCES] An officer in Deer Park, Texas, received major discipline following an internal audit that found misuse of the city's Flock surveillance system. ca.news.yahoo.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] The Colleton County Sheriff’s Office updated its Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) policy. www.police1.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] Former lieutenant Ruben Carter performed more than 2,700 unauthorized searches using the Flock ALPR system over one year. www.police1.com