Minnesota Police Departments Exhibit Wide Disparity in Sharing Flock Camera Data, Raising Privacy Concerns
Minnesota police departments are demonstrating significant variations in how broadly they share data from automatic license plate reader (ALPR) cameras, known as Flock cameras, with external agencies. Over 40 agencies in Minnesota utilize 'Flock transparency portals,' which are optional public data sites. While some departments, like Faribault police, restrict access to only the county 911 center, others, such as St. Paul police, have granted access to more than 60 Minnesota agencies. Stillwater and New Brighton police departments share access with hundreds of agencies, including some located out-of-state and as far as the East Coast. The American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota (ACLU-MN) has voiced concerns regarding privacy implications, particularly when data is shared across state lines. Deputy Chief Kurt Hallstrom of St. Paul police stated that their ALPR use is strictly for public safety and investigative purposes, including locating missing persons, recovering stolen vehicles, and supporting crim... 
