Why some cities are shutting down Flock cameras amid privacy concerns

4 hours ago

Dunwoody, Georgia, sees residents and some city council members protesting Flock Safety's automated license plate readers due to privacy concerns and recent terms of service changes.
Flock Safety faces criticism over data ownership, sharing practices, and security vulnerabilities, including reports of hackers accessing live video feeds and cameras streaming to the open internet.
Cities like Mountain View, Santa Cruz, and South Pasadena in California terminated contracts with Flock over data-sharing fears, particularly with ICE, despite Flock claiming no direct work with immigration enforcement.
Flock Safety's transparency, including audit records and a public portal, contrasts with competitors' opacity, but also exposes it to public scrutiny and backlash over surveillance ethics.
The debate highlights a divide: some cities view the technology as a cost-effective public safety tool, while others prioritize privacy and resist involvement in federal immigration enforcement.

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