Flock Safety Surveillance Backlash
Public and law enforcement backlash against Flock Safety's AI-powered surveillance technology due to wrongful tracking and police involvement.
February 2024
Flock Failed to Obtain Valid Permits in South Carolina, Texas, Illinois
Forbes reported that Flock failed to obtain valid permits for installing hardware in South Carolina, Texas, and Illinois. South Carolina reportedly contained over 200 unpermitted cameras that continued to operate and collect data.
Source ↗February 2025
Escondido Police Department queried Flock system for immigration protest
The Escondido Police Department queried the Flock system at least 28 times using terms like “Protest ATI Vehicle” and “Immigration Protest.” These searches coincided with a protest against ICE in Escondido.
Source ↗Escondido Police Queried Flock System During ICE Protest
The Escondido Police Department queried the Flock system at least 28 times for terms like “Immigration Protest.” These searches occurred around a protest against ICE in Escondido, followed by subsequent arrests.
Source ↗June 2025
California police agencies searched OCSD Flock data for protesters
Eleven California police agencies, including Anaheim Police Department and Daly City Police Department, searched the Orange County Sheriff’s Department’s Flock Safety system for protesters. The searches utilized features like license plate lookups and AI-powered searches.
Source ↗California Police Used Flock to Track Protesters
Officers from Anaheim Police Department, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, and other agencies searched for protesters using Flock’s search features. These searches included license plate lookups and AI-powered searches on the Flock system.
Source ↗September 2025
Vero Cops Expanded Surveillance Using Hi-Tech Cameras
A source reported that Vero Cops expanded their surveillance capabilities using hi-tech cameras. This expansion involved utilizing Flock's advanced camera technology.
Source ↗President Trump issued National Security Presidential Memorandum-7
President Trump issued National Security Presidential Memorandum-7 (NSPM-7). This directive criminalizes dissent in the United States.
Source ↗October 2025
ACLU Finds Vague Term Usage in Flock Audits
An investigation by the ACLU of Massachusetts reviewed Flock network audits. The audit showed that police frequently entered vague terms, such as 'investigation' or 'susp,' in the search reason field instead of specific details.
Source ↗February 2026
Flock CEO Admits Federal Data Sharing Contracts
Flock's CEO publicly acknowledged that the company held contracts with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Homeland Security (DHS). This admission followed concerns raised by Loveland Police Chief Tim Doran regarding federal agents accessing local ALPR data.
Source ↗April 2026
ACLU released document detailing Flock ALPR database access
The ACLU released a document detailing how any law enforcement agency with a Flock contract can search the nationwide database. This database collects personal information from tracked vehicles.
Source ↗Oshkosh City Council Approves and Rescinds Flock Contract
During a city council meeting, Flock's chief information security officer stated the system did not create movement heat maps. The Oshkosh City Council approved the contract, but the city learned the following morning that Flock had provided false statements and rescinded the agreement.
Source ↗June 2026
Texas Sentences Individuals for Anti-ICE Protest Participation
Anti-ICE protestors in Prairieland, Texas, were handed lengthy prison sentences for their participation in a noise demonstration. One individual was sentenced to thirty years for moving a box of zines.
Source ↗ACLU launched "Get the Flock Out" campaign
The ACLU launched the "Get the Flock Out" campaign to fight creepy ALPR cameras. The campaign addresses the widespread installation of Flock devices.
Source ↗July 2026
Flock Safety engineer Kevin Cox demonstrated Condor Camera capabilities
Flock Safety engineer Kevin Cox demonstrated the Condor Camera to prospective customers. He stated the cameras are used for various purposes, including illegal dumping and tracking.
Source ↗Flock AI Network Wrongly Tracked Author Over Stolen Plates
Flock's AI camera network wrongly tracked the author for several days. The tracking was attributed to a data error occurring 2,000 miles away in California.
Source ↗Flock Cameras Tracked User Over Alleged Stolen Plates
The user reported being tracked by Flock's nationwide surveillance network for several days. This tracking resulted in four police cars surrounding the user.
Source ↗Officer Ganshyn Links JLR Plates to Nationwide Flock Tracking
Officer Ganshyn observed that Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) vehicles with a specific New Jersey manufacturer plate structure were being flagged. This pattern was noted across Minnesota.
Source ↗Vigilante Allegedly Destroys Flock Cameras in Suffolk Virginia
A vigilante in Suffolk Virginia allegedly destroyed more than a dozen Flock surveillance cameras. The action was reported in a video shared during the week of the post.
Source ↗Flock Safety ends pilot of acoustic gunshot detection devices
Flock Safety, a surveillance technology vendor, announced it will end a pilot program. The pilot involved acoustic gunshot detection devices designed to identify signs of human distress.
Source ↗August 2026
Flock possesses powerful new AI tool for police use
A discussion on the Fediverse noted that Flock possesses a powerful new AI tool intended for police use. The discussion centered on the implications of this new technology.
Source ↗Flock operates 60 mph police drones capable of reading license plates
Flock is utilizing 60 mph police drones that possess the capability to read license plates from the sky. This drone technology is identified as Flock's fastest-growing business.
Source ↗WIRED reconstruct next-generation AI system used by Flock
WIRED reconstructed Flock's next-generation AI system. The investigation confirmed the system's capabilities extend beyond tracking license plates.
Source ↗