Flock Safety Implements Policy Changes for License Plate Reader Network Amid Privacy Concerns
Surveillance technology company Flock Safety announced changes to its license plate reader network platform in response to widespread backlash and documented abuses by law enforcement. These changes include mandatory audit tools, reduced data retention from 30 to seven days, and…
Philadelphia, PA, August 13, 2026 —
Flock Safety, a company known for its license plate reader (LPR) network, has announced significant changes to its platform’s policies. These updates come in the wake of considerable public backlash and reports of documented abuses by law enforcement agencies utilizing the technology.
The revised policies introduce several new features aimed at addressing privacy concerns and increasing transparency. Among the key changes are the implementation of mandatory audit tools, which will allow for greater oversight of how the system is used. Additionally, data retention periods have been shortened, reducing the time license plate data is stored from 30 days to seven days. The company is also now requiring case numbers to be provided for all searches conducted on the platform.
Despite these modifications, critics argue that the new measures may not be sufficient to address the core issues surrounding the widespread use of LPR technology. Civil liberties advocates and some lawmakers have expressed ongoing concerns about the potential for surveillance and misuse of data. Conversely, proponents of the technology emphasize its effectiveness in crime-fighting efforts and call for a balanced approach that considers both public safety and individual privacy rights.
Flock Safety has been under increasing scrutiny from various stakeholders, including lawmakers, privacy advocates, and the general public. This heightened attention has reportedly led some cities to re-evaluate and, in some cases, cancel their contracts with the company for its surveillance services.
The specific details regarding the timeline for the implementation of these new audit tools and whether they will be applied retroactively were not immediately available. The company has not provided further comment on the exact nature of the “documented abuses” that prompted these policy revisions.
Story summarized from the original created by SARAH RANKIN and CLAUDIA LAUER on www.inquirer.com, see more information here.
