Flock updates license plate reader platform amid misuse concerns and civil liberties debate

Flock, a police-tech company known for operating a network of about 120,000 automatic license plate readers across the US, announced platform updates last Thursday aimed at preventing officers from using the system for illegal or illegitimate purposes, including stalking.

The changes follow reporting by The Washington Post that identified 50 cases of officer misuse of Flock’s system and competitors’, often involving stalking and harassment. In one case, a woman in Wisconsin alleged her officer ex-boyfriend searched for her car 179 times. In another, a woman was allegedly stalked by her police chief with no clear avenue for reporting.

Flock’s updates include requiring officers to enter a criminal case number before conducting searches and using software to flag abnormal search patterns. However, Flock confirmed to MIT Technology Review that it does not verify case numbers, allowing officers to bypass the safeguard by entering false information.

Critics argue the changes do not address broader concerns about Flock’s role in enabling mass surveillance. The company’s network allows police in one jurisdiction to search data collected in another, and agencies can retain data for months or years. Flock recently recommended a seven-day retention period, but agencies are not required to follow this guideline.

About 90% of searches occur within a week of an incident, according to Flock, suggesting that narrower data collection and sharing could preserve crime-solving utility while reducing surveillance risks. Proposals include tying searches to active Amber Alerts or verifying case numbers against police department records, though Flock has not adopted these measures.

The backlash has led some cities to cancel Flock contracts, while others are pausing to reconsider how the technology should be regulated. Civil liberties groups, including the ACLU, argue that meaningful limits on surveillance require new laws rather than company-imposed guidelines.

Flock’s business model and recent $8 billion valuation depend on maintaining a broad, interconnected network that aggregates data across jurisdictions, which conflicts with calls to narrow the system’s scope. The company’s CEO indicated that Flock’s approach will likely continue to differ from advocacy groups’ preferences.