Flock Safety’s Autonomous Drone ‘Alpha’ Enables High‑Speed License‑Plate Surveillance

Flock Safety has launched the Flock Alpha, an autonomous police drone that can travel up to 60 mph and is equipped with an optical zoom capable of reading vehicle license plates from as far as 2,000 feet. The drone integrates with the company’s existing street‑level automated license‑plate reader (ALPR) system, allowing officers to deploy it from a smartphone‑controlled docking station when triggered by 911 calls, gunshot sensors, or ALPR alerts.

Civil‑rights organisations, including the American Civil Liberties Union and the Electronic Frontier Foundation, argue that the system creates a nationwide mass‑surveillance network. They cite its use by law‑enforcement agencies and federal immigration officials, as well as incidents of mistaken identification and alleged misuse of data.

Lawmakers in Delaware and at the federal level are responding, with two Republican congressmen introducing bills targeting Flock Safety and state officials expected to consider legislation to limit or regulate the technology.