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[TECHNOLOGY] · United States · 25 sources

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Part of situation: US license plate reader privacy and surveillance scrutiny (25 clusters)

Flock Safety technology faces widespread rejection across U.S. cities and states

Flock Safety automated license plate readers surveillance technology privacy concerns ALPR

A growing movement across the United States is challenging the use of Flock Safety’s automated license plate reader (ALPR) technology due to privacy and misuse concerns. In Texas, Governor Greg Abbott directed the Department of Transportation to suspend permits for new Flock camera installations on state roads, following a freeze on state funding for the technology. This follows similar actions in Florida, where the state ordered the removal of cameras from highways.

Local governments are also taking action. The El Paso City Council unanimously voted to remove out-of-service Flock cameras within 60 days and prohibited new contracts for ALPR systems. In St. Paul, the City Council passed a resolution to end the use of Flock cameras after concerns that data was shared with federal agencies without local knowledge. Other municipalities, including Arlington County, Virginia, and Racine, Wisconsin, have also moved to terminate contracts or remove cameras.

Concerns regarding the technology have been fueled by reports of misuse. In Amarillo, Texas, a former police officer was accused of using the system to track an individual 76 times for personal reasons. Additionally, a security breach involving a hacked camera revealed that the software can detect not only vehicles and license plates but also people and bicycles, raising further questions about the scope of surveillance.

Entities

Amazon Web Services · Dallas · Delaware Police Accreditation Commission · El Paso · El Paso City Council · Flock Safety · Greg Abbott · Las Cruces Police Department · Morrilton Police Department · Nassau County · National Center for Missing and Exploited Children · National Crime Information Center

Claims

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

  • [○ 1 SOURCE] Analysis of breached Flock camera data shows the software can detect people, bicycles, and license plates. cybernoz.com
  • [○ 1 SOURCE] The Las Cruces Police Department retains Flock camera data for 30 days. kvia.com
  • [○ 1 SOURCE] A former Amarillo police officer allegedly used Flock systems to track an individual 76 times for personal reasons. thepatriotchronicles.com
  • [○ 1 SOURCE] Flock Safety claims its technology supported over 1 million investigations in 2025. exame.com
  • [○ 1 SOURCE] Audit logs show some Ohio law enforcement agencies used ALPR databases for traffic infraction searches. lawenforcementtoday.com
  • [● 2 SOURCES] There are more than 120,000 automated license plate readers (ALPRs) currently on U.S. streets. cobbcountycourier.com · exame.com
  • [○ 1 SOURCE] The El Paso City Council unanimously decided to remove out-of-service Flock cameras within 60 days. www.calibre800.com
  • [○ 1 SOURCE] The St. Paul City Council voted to remove city-owned Flock cameras following concerns over public trust. thehub.news
  • [○ 1 SOURCE] The Dallas Police Department will deactivate 321 Flock cameras due to the expiration of state funding. gestion.pe
  • [○ 1 SOURCE] The Texas Department of Transportation has suspended permits for new Flock camera installations on state roads. www.houstonpublicmedia.org
  • [○ 1 SOURCE] The Arlington County board voted to remove Flock cameras within two weeks and end their contract with the company. www.fox5dc.com
  • [○ 1 SOURCE] The Racine Common Council approved an amendment to terminate its contract with Flock cameras after 30 days. cbs58.com

Sources

Tempe City Council set to debate new limits on automatic license plate reader technology as civil liberties advocates raise concerns over surveillance in college town [arizonadailypress.com]
APRUEBAN RETIRAR CAMARAS EN 60 DIAS EN EL PASO [www.calibre800.com]
Hackers Got Inside a Flock Camera. Its Data Shows How the System Really Works [cybernoz.com]
City’s use of Flock cameras discussed at public hearing - KVOM 101. 7 [www.kvom.com]
St. Paul Reins in High-tech Policing, Stripping Flock Cameras and Blocking Federal Drone Grant [thehub.news]
Carrollton City Council To Vote On Flock License Plate Camera Contract [dallasexpress.com]
Father Says He Changed Where His Kids Sleep After Christian Eder Allegedly Tracked Him 76 Times [thepatriotchronicles.com]
Law Enforcement Today [lawenforcementtoday.com]
A Ilusão do Botão 'Off': O que acontece quando as cidades desistem da vigilância por IA? [www.netthings.pt]
How the American revolt against Flock cameras mirrors the Boston Tea Party of 1773 [cobbcountycourier.com]
Opinion | South Windsor Can Protect Public Safety Without Sacrificing Our Civil Liberties [ctnewsjunkie.com]
DL Open Thread: Monday, September 14, 2026 [delawareliberal.net]
City of El Paso to give Flock 90 days to remove 150 cameras before covering them [elpasomatters.org]
How the American revolt against Flock cameras mirrors the Boston Tea Party of 1773 [eveningreport.nz]
Texas freezes installation of Flock cameras along state roads [www.houstonpublicmedia.org]
Santa Barbara to Review, Revise Automated License Plate Reader Policy [www.noozhawk.com]
Pros and cons of Flock cameras discussed at Leeds Council meeting [www.trussvilletribune.com]
Racine Common Council votes to terminate Flock camera agreement [cbs58.com]
Essa empresa vale US$ 7,5 bilhões — e está no centro de uma disputa sobre vigilância nos EUA [exame.com]
Arlington County to remove Flock cameras, end contract with company [www.fox5dc.com]
Dallas desactivará 321 cámaras Flock Safety: qué pasará con las demás [gestion.pe]
Las Cruces Police Department launches Flock camera transparency portal [kvia.com]
Hundreds of Flock cameras on Long Island help solve crimes but critics raise alarms about government surveillance [www.newsday.com]
Texas freezes installation of Flock cameras on state roads [feeds.texastribune.org]
Arlington County ends use of Flock cameras and related technology [wtop.com]