Flock Safety Implements Stricter Oversight for Camera Network

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Flock Safety Implements Stricter Oversight for Camera Network

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Flock Safety, a leading company in automated license plate reader (ALPR) technology, revealed on Thursday, August 13, 2026, a series of new policies aimed at preventing misuse of its vast camera network by law enforcement. These changes come in the wake of reports detailing instances where officers allegedly exploited the system for personal surveillance, including stalking former partners and romantic interests.

One of the most significant updates is the mandatory requirement for officers to associate every search with a criminal case number. This feature was previously optional and used by approximately one-third of the 7,000 law enforcement agencies utilizing Flock’s system nationwide. Additionally, the company will mandate an automatic review of all searches for “abnormal activity,” a tool known as “Audit Assistance” that was introduced in April 2026. Flock Safety plans to implement a “proactive lockout” feature, which will automatically suspend an officer’s access if their activity meets criteria for abnormal behavior, pending administrator review.

Other reforms include reducing the default data retention period for license plate information from 30 days to seven days, though existing customers can maintain their current retention periods. Flock will also introduce “Evidence Mode,” allowing officers to preserve specific license plate data beyond the standard retention period for active investigations. Furthermore, police departments will gain more control over how their data is shared with other agencies, including the ability to specify the types of investigations for which data can be accessed.

The company’s CEO, Garrett Langley, stated that the changes reflect a “continual evolution of Flock’s responsibility” and expressed hope that local officials would take a more proactive role in auditing and supervising the use of the technology. Critics, however, have voiced skepticism, with some civil liberties advocates suggesting the changes might be a “temporary Band-Aid” and questioning the effectiveness of previously voluntary safeguards now being made mandatory. The Institute for Justice, a civil liberties law firm, has identified dozens of cases of officers misusing ALPR data, with many incidents surfacing since 2024.

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