We Uncovered How Police Are Really Using Flock Cameras
The short version: EFF's investigation shows Flock ALPRs deployed for trivial complaints like loud music, proving 'public safety' surveillance nets sweep up everyone regardless of actual threat.
Our Take
EFF just did what most local governments won't: actually look at what these cameras are being used for. And the answer, per their reporting, is a lot less "violent fugitive recovery" and a lot more mundane policing than the sales pitch would have you believe. Loud music complaints triggering a license plate reader lookup should tell you everything about how these systems actually get used once they're installed — the stated justification is always the worst-case scenario, but the daily reality is bored officers running plates on anyone who annoys a neighbor.
This is the mission creep we keep warning about. Flock and departments sell these networks as tools for finding kidnappers and stolen cars, and then the audit logs — when anyone bothers to pull them — show cops using them for parking disputes, noise complaints, and personal curiosity. There's no meaningful oversight stopping that gap between pitch and practice, because most cities never require it, and most departments won't volunteer it. Credit to EFF for actually digging into the query data instead of taking press releases at face value.
If you want to know whether one of these cameras is sitting on your street, check our camera map. And if you're ready to push back on a system that logs your movements for reasons as trivial as a loud stereo, our take-action page has the tools to start.
This is DeFlock The USA’s original commentary. The video above is the work of EFForg, published on YouTube — full credit to the creator.