Flock Safety Deploys 120,000 License Plate Readers Across U.S.

Private surveillance company Flock Safety has deployed a network of 120,000 automated license plate readers across nearly every U.S. state. The company has contracted with 7,000 law enforcement agencies to track vehicles in real-time, a system that officials credit with reducing vehicle theft and assisting in the investigation of an assassination attempt on Donald Trump.

The expansion has triggered bipartisan backlash over privacy and potential abuse. Reports indicate some officers used the cameras to track romantic partners or investigate reproductive care. In response, cities including Los Angeles and Dayton have suspended their contracts. Meanwhile, citizens are using the crowdsourced app DeFlock to map the surveillance devices.

Legal and legislative challenges are mounting. In July, U.S. Representative Keith Self introduced a bill requiring federal warrants for accessing surveillance data. The American Civil Liberties Union is also challenging the network in court, arguing that the interconnected system constitutes an unconstitutional warrantless dragnet.