Flock License Plate Readers: Difference between revisions
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Data collected includes location history that can reveal sensitive information about medical visits, religious attendance, political activities, & personal associations. While Flock states data is deleted after 30 days, contracts grant them ''"perpetual, worldwide, royalty-free license"'' to use anonymized data indefinitely.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.flocksafety.com/terms-and-conditions|title=Terms and Conditions|work=Flock Safety|access-date=2025-08-23}}</ref> The system shares data across a network of over 4,800 law enforcement agencies nationally.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.404media.co/lawsuit-argues-warrantless-use-of-flock-surveillance-cameras-is-unconstitutional/|title=Lawsuit Argues Warrantless Use of Flock Surveillance Cameras Is Unconstitutional|work=404 Media|date=2024|access-date=2025-08-23}}</ref> | Data collected includes location history that can reveal sensitive information about medical visits, religious attendance, political activities, & personal associations. While Flock states data is deleted after 30 days, contracts grant them ''"perpetual, worldwide, royalty-free license"'' to use anonymized data indefinitely.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.flocksafety.com/terms-and-conditions|title=Terms and Conditions|work=Flock Safety|access-date=2025-08-23}}</ref> The system shares data across a network of over 4,800 law enforcement agencies nationally.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.404media.co/lawsuit-argues-warrantless-use-of-flock-surveillance-cameras-is-unconstitutional/|title=Lawsuit Argues Warrantless Use of Flock Surveillance Cameras Is Unconstitutional|work=404 Media|date=2024|access-date=2025-08-23}}</ref> | ||
===== "Anonymized data" ===== | ====="Anonymized data"===== | ||
While Flock defines "Anonymized Data" as customer data ''"permanently stripped of identifying details and any potential personally identifiable information"'' , rendered so a person or entity ''"can no longer be identified directly or indirectly"'', this category still includes info like the vehicle make, model, color, location patterns, & other non–license-plate attributes.<ref>{{cite web |date=2025-07-22 |title=Terms and Conditions |url=https://www.flocksafety.com/legal/terms-and-conditions |access-date=2025-08-23 |website=Flock Safety}}</ref> | While Flock defines "Anonymized Data" as customer data ''"permanently stripped of identifying details and any potential personally identifiable information"'' , rendered so a person or entity ''"can no longer be identified directly or indirectly"'', this category still includes info like the vehicle make, model, color, location patterns, & other non–license-plate attributes.<ref>{{cite web |date=2025-07-22 |title=Terms and Conditions |url=https://www.flocksafety.com/legal/terms-and-conditions |access-date=2025-08-23 |website=Flock Safety}}</ref> | ||
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Many documented cases demonstrate abuse of Flock's surveillance capabilities by law enforcement officers: | Many documented cases demonstrate abuse of Flock's surveillance capabilities by law enforcement officers: | ||
====== Cops stalking their ex: ====== | ======Cops stalking their ex:====== | ||
In October 2022, Kechi, Kansas Police Lieutenant Victor Heiar was arrested & later pleaded guilty to computer crimes & stalking after using Flock cameras 228 times over four months to track his estranged wife's movements.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kwch.com/2022/10/31/kechi-police-lieutenant-arrested-using-police-technology-stalk-wife/|title=Kechi police lieutenant arrested for using police technology to stalk wife|work=KWCH|date=2022-10-31|access-date=2025-08-23}}</ref> | In October 2022, Kechi, Kansas Police Lieutenant Victor Heiar was arrested & later pleaded guilty to computer crimes & stalking after using Flock cameras 228 times over four months to track his estranged wife's movements.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kwch.com/2022/10/31/kechi-police-lieutenant-arrested-using-police-technology-stalk-wife/|title=Kechi police lieutenant arrested for using police technology to stalk wife|work=KWCH|date=2022-10-31|access-date=2025-08-23}}</ref> | ||
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===Abortion & immigration tracking (2025)=== | ===Abortion & immigration tracking (2025)=== | ||
In May 2025, Johnson County, Texas sheriff's deputies used Flock's network to track a woman suspected of self-managing an abortion. They conducting searches across multiple states including those where abortion is legal. The incident led Illinois officials to investigate and subsequently block 47+ out-of-state agencies from accessing Illinois ALPR data.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dallasnews.com/news/national/2025/06/12/illinois-officials-investigate-data-shared-with-texas-sheriff-seeking-woman-who-had-abortion/|title=Illinois officials investigate data shared with Texas sheriff seeking woman who had abortion|work=The Dallas Morning News|date=2025-06-12|access-date=2025-08-23}}</ref> | In May 2025, Johnson County, Texas sheriff's deputies used Flock's network to track a woman suspected of self-managing an abortion. They were conducting searches across multiple states including those where abortion is legal. The incident led Illinois officials to investigate and subsequently block 47+ out-of-state agencies from accessing Illinois ALPR data.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dallasnews.com/news/national/2025/06/12/illinois-officials-investigate-data-shared-with-texas-sheriff-seeking-woman-who-had-abortion/|title=Illinois officials investigate data shared with Texas sheriff seeking woman who had abortion|work=The Dallas Morning News|date=2025-06-12|access-date=2025-08-23}}</ref> | ||
404 Media revealed over 4,000 searches by local and state police for federal immigration enforcement purposes, despite Flock having no formal ICE contract.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.404media.co/ice-taps-into-nationwide-ai-enabled-camera-network-data-shows/|title=ICE Taps into Nationwide AI-Enabled Camera Network, Data Shows|work=404 Media|date=2025|access-date=2025-08-23}}</ref> A DEA agent was found using an Illinois police officer's credentials to conduct unauthorized immigration searches.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://unraveledpress.com/a-dea-agent-used-an-illinois-police-officers-flock-license-plate-reader-password-for-unauthorized-immigration-enforcement-searches/|title=DEA agent used Illinois cop's Flock license plate reader password for immigration enforcement searches|work=Unraveled Press|date=2025|access-date=2025-08-23}}</ref> | 404 Media revealed over 4,000 searches by local and state police for federal immigration enforcement purposes, despite Flock having no formal ICE contract.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.404media.co/ice-taps-into-nationwide-ai-enabled-camera-network-data-shows/|title=ICE Taps into Nationwide AI-Enabled Camera Network, Data Shows|work=404 Media|date=2025|access-date=2025-08-23}}</ref> A DEA agent was found using an Illinois police officer's credentials to conduct unauthorized immigration searches.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://unraveledpress.com/a-dea-agent-used-an-illinois-police-officers-flock-license-plate-reader-password-for-unauthorized-immigration-enforcement-searches/|title=DEA agent used Illinois cop's Flock license plate reader password for immigration enforcement searches|work=Unraveled Press|date=2025|access-date=2025-08-23}}</ref> | ||
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Multiple cities have rejected or terminated Flock contracts following privacy concerns and effectiveness issues: | Multiple cities have rejected or terminated Flock contracts following privacy concerns and effectiveness issues: | ||
====== 0. | ======0.2% effectiveness rate, low arrests:====== | ||
Austin, Texas terminated its contract in July 2025 after an audit revealed "systematic compliance failures" and only 165 arrests from 113 million license plate scans (0. | Austin, Texas terminated its contract in July 2025 after an audit revealed "systematic compliance failures" and only 165 arrests from 113 million license plate scans (0.2% effectiveness rate).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cbsaustin.com/news/local/flock-ceo-responds-to-austin-backlash-as-city-contract-nears-expiration|title=Flock CEO responds to Austin backlash as city contract nears expiration|work=CBS Austin|date=2025|access-date=2025-08-23}}</ref> | ||
Denver City Council unanimously rejected a $666,000 contract extension in May 2025 following revelations of 1,400+ ICE-related searches in Colorado data.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://denverite.com/2025/05/05/denver-rejects-flock-camera-license-plate-readers/|title=Denver rejects $666,000 extension for license-plate surveillance cameras after backlash|work=Denverite|date=2025-05-05|access-date=2025-08-23}}</ref> | Denver City Council unanimously rejected a $666,000 contract extension in May 2025 following revelations of 1,400+ ICE-related searches in Colorado data.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://denverite.com/2025/05/05/denver-rejects-flock-camera-license-plate-readers/|title=Denver rejects $666,000 extension for license-plate surveillance cameras after backlash|work=Denverite|date=2025-05-05|access-date=2025-08-23}}</ref> | ||
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===False positive incidents (2025)=== | ===False positive incidents (2025)=== | ||
====== Held at gunpoint: ====== | ======Held at gunpoint:====== | ||
In Española, New Mexico, 21-year-old Jaclynn Gonzales and her 12-year-old sister were held at gunpoint & handcuffed after Flock's system mistook a "2" for a "7" on their license plate, falsely flagging their vehicle as stolen.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://redact.dev/blog/flock-safety-lpr-privacy-surveillance/|title=Flock Safety: Eroding Your Privacy & Keeping You Safe with Surveillance|work=Redact|date=2025|access-date=2025-08-23}}</ref> | In Española, New Mexico, 21-year-old Jaclynn Gonzales and her 12-year-old sister were held at gunpoint & handcuffed after Flock's system mistook a "2" for a "7" on their license plate, falsely flagging their vehicle as stolen.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://redact.dev/blog/flock-safety-lpr-privacy-surveillance/|title=Flock Safety: Eroding Your Privacy & Keeping You Safe with Surveillance|work=Redact|date=2025|access-date=2025-08-23}}</ref> | ||
===Security vulnerabilities (2024)=== | ===Security vulnerabilities (2024)=== | ||
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency identified 7 critical vulnerabilities in Motorola ALPR systems similar to Flock's, including hardcoded passwords & unencrypted data storage.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2024/06/new-alpr-vulnerabilities-prove-mass-surveillance-public-safety-threat|title=New ALPR Vulnerabilities Prove Mass Surveillance Is a Public Safety Threat|work=Electronic Frontier Foundation|date=2024-06|access-date=2025-08-23}}</ref> | The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency identified 7 critical vulnerabilities in Motorola ALPR systems similar to Flock's, including hardcoded passwords & unencrypted data storage.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2024/06/new-alpr-vulnerabilities-prove-mass-surveillance-public-safety-threat|title=New ALPR Vulnerabilities Prove Mass Surveillance Is a Public Safety Threat|work=Electronic Frontier Foundation|date=2024-06-18|access-date=2025-08-23}}</ref> | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{reflist}} | {{reflist}} | ||
==External links== | |||
*[https://deflock.me/ DeFlock live map of active ALPRs] | |||
*[https://www.noalprs.org/ No ALPRS movement in United States] | |||
[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]] | [[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]] | ||