Flock haters cross political divides to remove error-prone cameras

Flock Safety, the company behind the extensive network of automated license plate readers (ALPRs) in the United States, is under increasing scrutiny as a coalition of lawmakers and community members pushes back against its intrusive surveillance technology. Recently, Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.) called for a federal investigation into Flock, citing serious concerns over its management of Americans' personal data and cybersecurity practices. Wyden has previously expressed alarm in a letter to Flock's CEO, Garrett Langley, indicating that the company's security shortcomings could potentially lead to significant data breaches, putting vast amounts of personal information at risk. He emphasized that local officials can best safeguard their communities by removing Flock's cameras, which he believes are prone to abuse. Several municipalities have already taken action, driven by worries that law enforcement might exploit the extensive data gathered by these cameras for intrusive tracking purposes. For instance, reports surfaced of Texas law enforcement using over 80,000 ALPR scans to perform a wellness check on a woman suspected of having an abortion. Additionally, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has reportedly collaborated with local police to access Flock's data for immigration-related investigations. Despite the company's stance that decisions regarding ICE access are made locally, the backlash against Flock has transcended political boundaries. Activists in seven states have successfully campaigned to remove these surveillance cameras, sharing strategies that have fueled further opposition. Critics argue that the cameras not only pose a risk to the privacy of everyday citizens but also have a history of inaccuracies, leading to wrongful detentions, as noted by the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF).