Flock cameras spark privacy debate across US

Flock cameras are spreading across the United States, helping police track vehicles and investigate crimes. But their growing use has also raised serious privacy concerns.

Flock Safety, an Atlanta-based company, provides automated license plate reader cameras to more than 7,000 organizations, including police departments, colleges and homeowners associations. The company was valued at $8.4 billion in April 2026.

How do they work?
The cameras use artificial intelligence to scan license plates and record details such as a vehicle’s make, model, color, location and time of detection. They can also compare plates with lists of stolen or crime-linked vehicles.

Police have credited the technology with providing important leads in major investigations. Supporters say the cameras help authorities locate suspects and recover stolen vehicles.

But people are cautious
Critics warn that the technology creates detailed records of individuals’ movements and could enable widespread surveillance.

Concerns have intensified over the possibility that federal immigration authorities could gain access. Flock says it does not work with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and that local customers control how their data is shared. Opponents argue that federal agencies can still request information from local police.

The Washington Post reported that at least 50 police officers have faced accusations of misusing Flock cameras or similar surveillance systems, primarily to stalk women.

The cameras are facing pushback, with vigilantes reportedly disabling them and DeFlock, a grassroots group, mapping their locations.

Several communities have canceled or suspended Flock contracts. Los Angeles deactivated 138 cameras in July over privacy concerns, while Amazon’s Ring dropped its partnership with Flock in February.