Surveillance products from Flock Safety, including Automated License Plate Readers, have been receiving negative attention from the public in recent months.
An Instagram post from news organization POLITICO
explained that communities across the U.S. are cutting ties with Flock Safety over "concerns around mass surveillance and data privacy" and "fears over how data could be used in immigration crackdowns."The post added that over 20 jurisdictions either stopped using Flock cameras or began the process of doing so in July 2026, the highest amount in a single month since tracking with Flock began in 2021.
As reported by USA TODAY, Flock Safety announced Thursday, Aug. 13, that a new update would aim to crack down on police officers who misuse data
recorded by the company's security products, such as police officers running searches not tied to law enforcement investigations, including to stalk or harass someone.
Here's what to know about Flock Safety in North Carolina amidst the controversy.
What is a Flock camera?
Flock Safety is a private surveillance company that operates over 120,000 cameras in 49 U.S. states, including solar-powered Automated License Plate Readers, which are mounted on poles, streetlights and police vehicles. ALPRs photograph passing cars and scan license plates for information.
Why are Flock cameras controversial?
FlockHopper, a website that provides information on Flock cameras, a map of camera locations and more, describes some of the controversy around Flock products. The website cites cases of police abuse of the cameras, such as the case of a Kansas police chief caught logging false reasons for using camera data to search his ex-partner.
The website also notes security concerns: Immigration and Customs Enforcement "taps the network without a contract," with Virginia alone having logged "nearly 3,000 immigration searches in 12 months," police agencies reportedly use Flock to track protesters not accused of crimes and more.
As reported by The Citizen Times, Western N.C. is no stranger to the controversy around Flock cameras.
How many Flock cameras are in Asheville, NC? Downtown Asheville?
FlockHopper lists 66 cameras in the area of 28806, Asheville's largest zip code. It lists 62 cameras in the 28801 zip code, which contains Downtown Asheville.
Flock cameras near me: How to find Flock cameras near me
FlockHopper operates a zip code-based Flock camera tracker at dontgetflocked.com.
Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at iseaton@citizentimes.com.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: There are 60+ Flock cameras around Asheville. What, where they are
