Flock license plate readers face contract cancellations amid growing surveillance pushback

The short version

• More than 100 jurisdictions have canceled their contracts with Flock Safety as opposition to community license plate readers rises.[The Guardian]
• Flock shortened its default data retention window from 30 days to seven days, setting a one-year maximum.[Jalopnik]
• Texas Governor Greg Abbott has prohibited state agencies from purchasing products made by Flock.[The Guardian]

Key facts

• Data from the Institute for Justice indicates that more than 100 jurisdictions have canceled their contracts with Flock.[The Guardian]
• Flock Safety reports working with more than 5,000 law enforcement agencies across roughly 6,000 communities.[The Hill]
• DeFlock data reveals that Flock Safety manufactures about 82 percent of mapped automated license plate readers, while Motorola Solutions and Genetec account for 5 percent and 2 percent, respectively.[The Hill]
• A Washington Post poll found that roughly 46% of Americans oppose automated license plate readers in their communities, representing a 13-point increase year over year.[The Guardian]
• Texas Governor Greg Abbott barred state agencies from procuring Flock products.[The Guardian]
• Flock lowered its default data retention period to seven days down from 30, while capping total storage at one year.[Jalopnik]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.

• It's not just Flock. These cameras, ALPRs may also be in your communityThe Hill
• Cut the cameras: Flock surveillance cameras spur rare bipartisan backlashThe Guardian - World
• Flock Cameras Are Coming Down Around The Country Only To Be Replaced By The Same Technology With A Different NameJalopnik