Flock announces changes amid backlash over its license plate reader network
The short version: 13News Now reports Flock Safety is tweaking its ALPR network after bipartisan pushback — proof that public pressure on license plate surveillance is working.
Our Take
13News Now dug into the mounting backlash against Flock Safety and found something notable: the company is actually announcing changes. That's not nothing. When a surveillance vendor with cameras in thousands of communities starts adjusting course, it usually means lawmakers, journalists, and everyday residents pushing back have gotten loud enough to matter. This story doesn't come from a partisan angle either — the report notes scrutiny from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, which tells you concern about mass license plate tracking isn't a red or blue issue. It's an American one.
We'll be watching to see what these 'changes' actually amount to in practice — cosmetic PR moves or real limits on data sharing, retention, and access. History with ALPR vendors suggests skepticism is warranted until policies are in writing and enforceable. Flock's network only works because thousands of local governments keep signing contracts with minimal public input, so any announced reform is only as good as the audits and oversight that back it up.
Credit to 13News Now for keeping a spotlight on this. If you want to see how far this surveillance web has spread in your own backyard, check our camera map, and if you're ready to push back locally, our take-action guide has the tools to start.
This is DeFlock The USA’s original commentary. The video above is the work of 13News Now, published on YouTube — full credit to the creator.