Flock Safety Surveillance Backlash
Public and law enforcement backlash against Flock Safety's AI-powered surveillance technology due to wrongful tracking and police involvement.
March 2023
The Intercept detailed HOA surveillance using Flock
The Intercept published an article regarding the use of Flock's license plate readers by Homeowners Associations. This article was related to the broader discussion of surveillance.
Source ↗January 2024
Flock began collecting license plate data via ALPR system
Flock started using its automated license plate recognition system to collect license plate data. This data collection is the subject of the ongoing legal action.
Source ↗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 ↗January 2026
Norcross, Georgia police conducted smartphone search
Police in Norcross, Georgia, conducted a smartphone-based search on January 31. This search used 'Curfew/Loitering/Vagrancy Violations' as the stated justification and tapped into 6,098 Flock camera networks.
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
The Intercept published report on Flock camera usage
The Intercept published a report detailing how police use Flock's surveillance technology. The report highlighted the use of the 'Curfew/Loitering/Vagrancy Violations' category for investigations.
Source ↗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 ↗September 2026
Illinois Police Used Flock Cameras Over 1,200 Times for Loitering Investigations
Police in a single town in Illinois utilized Flock cameras. These cameras were scanned more than 1,200 times specifically to investigate instances of loitering.
Source ↗Illinois police scanned Flock cameras over 1,200 times
Police in a single town in Illinois utilized Flock cameras. The surveillance was conducted to investigate cases of loitering.
Source ↗Police used Flock cameras in Illinois to investigate loitering
Police utilized Flock cameras in a town located in Illinois. The surveillance was used to investigate cases involving loitering, with the cameras being scanned over 1,200 times.
Source ↗Police Search Flock Camera Data Using Arbitrary Justifications
Police have been reported to be searching data from Flock surveillance cameras. These searches reportedly utilized non-legitimate justifications, such as 'LMAO' and 'IDK', to access sensitive location information.
Source ↗Police Reported Using Flock Database with Frivolous Search Reasons
A post reported that police were searching the Flock Database using reasons such as "LMAO," "LOL," and random keyboard mashing. This incident highlighted concerns regarding the accountability of mass surveillance practices.
Source ↗EFF found police using Flock cameras for frivolous searches
The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) analyzed Flock system audit logs to find police using the system for searches with reasons like 'LMAO' and 'IDK'. These logs were obtained via government records requests.
Source ↗Flock changed system to use prepopulated search reasons
Flock modified its system to replace free-text reason entry with a drop-down list of prepopulated reasons. The EFF characterized this change as a loss for transparency.
Source ↗Police used Flock system to track undocumented immigrants and protesters
News outlets, including 404 Media, used Flock audit logs to show police using the system to look for undocumented immigrants on behalf of ICE, a woman in Texas who had an abortion, and protesters.
Source ↗Police Used Flock Database with Nonsensical Search Terms
Police were reported to be searching the Flock database using search reasons such as "LMAO," "LOL," and random keyboard mashing. This practice is cited in discussions regarding the misuse of mass surveillance technology.
Source ↗