Police Instructed to Conceal Flock License Plate Reader Usage
Internal guidance obtained by 404 Media shows that police departments using Flock Safety's automatic license plate reader (ALPR) systems have been explicitly directed to conceal their use of the technology. The instructions reportedly state: "DO NOT MENTION ALPR USAGE TO THE OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE. DO NOT MENTION ALPR USAGE IN YOUR REPORT OR COMPLAINT."
Flock Safety manufactures camera systems that automatically capture and read license plates, storing the data along with vehicle descriptions, locations, and timestamps. The technology has been widely adopted by law enforcement agencies and homeowners' associations across the United States.
The revelation raises questions about transparency and accountability in the deployment of surveillance technology by law enforcement. Privacy advocates have long expressed concerns about ALPR systems, which can track vehicle movements and create comprehensive location histories of drivers who may not be suspected of any wrongdoing.
Flock Safety's systems have faced legal challenges and scrutiny over data retention practices. The company's terms of service prohibit law enforcement from using the data to create physical searches based solely on race, ethnicity, gender, or religion, though critics argue these restrictions may be difficult to enforce in practice.