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AI Plate-Reading Cameras Spark U.S. Privacy Concerns Amidst Montreal Police Use

AI Plate-Reading Cameras Spark U.S. Privacy Concerns Amidst Montreal Police Use

The use of artificial intelligence-equipped automated license plate reading (ALPR) cameras by Montreal police has brought renewed attention to privacy concerns, particularly in comparison to their deployment in the United States. While Montreal police are leasing Genetec Cloudrunner cameras, which do not aggregate data in a shared central database, similar Flock Safety cameras widely used in the U.S. do link license plate information to individuals' identities in a centralized, searchable database. This distinction is crucial, as the shared database model in the U.S. has generated significant public resistance and privacy concerns. Experts in AI ethics, such as Renee Sieber, a McGill University professor, highlight that the controversy stems not just from surveillance but from the ability to tie location data and patterns of life to an individual's name and residence through these shared databases. This capability raises fears about the potential for misuse, including stalking, as reportedly seen with some...

Flock Safety Introduces AI Tool for Police, Raising Privacy Concerns

Flock Safety Introduces AI Tool for Police, Raising Privacy Concerns

Flock Safety, a prominent vehicle surveillance company, has developed a new artificial intelligence tool for law enforcement called OS Investigate. This system, which was previously known as Nightshift, is designed to identify drivers and track vehicles based on their movement patterns. Contrary to Flock Safety's previous public statements that its technology could not identify or track individuals, OS Investigate utilizes a network of cameras across over 6,000 communities to log driver movements. The tool can identify potential witnesses by analyzing how frequently their cars pass through a neighborhood and can also pinpoint a driver's associates by tracking vehicles that pass cameras together. The system integrates with police case files, 911 dispatch logs, and commercial identity records, allowing it to convert license plates into names, home addresses, and relatives. It can also search for individuals in a specified area using only a physical description. WIRED discovered 69 pre-written prompts within ...

Indianola Police Department Deactivates Flock License Plate Reader Cameras Amid Privacy Concerns

Indianola Police Department Deactivates Flock License Plate Reader Cameras Amid Privacy Concerns

The Indianola Police Department has deactivated its eight Flock automated license plate reading cameras, effective August 17. This decision follows a growing conversation surrounding privacy, data retention, and data sharing associated with such technology. Indianola joins other Iowa cities, including Waukee and Coralville, in discontinuing the use of Flock cameras. The department stated that access to data collected by these cameras by outside agencies has also been disabled. While the cameras have been instrumental in solving serious cases, including locating missing persons, identifying violent offenders, and recovering stolen vehicles, the police department acknowledges the need for thoughtful consideration of public concerns. The cameras will remain installed pending coordination with Flock Safety, and previously collected data will be retained for 30 days unless part of an ongoing investigation. The annual cost for the eight cameras was $24,000.

Flock Safety Develops New AI Tool for Police Capable of Identifying Drivers and Tracking Vehicles

Flock Safety Develops New AI Tool for Police Capable of Identifying Drivers and Tracking Vehicles

Flock Safety, a prominent vehicle surveillance company, has developed a new artificial intelligence tool for police, initially named Nightshift and now called OS Investigate, which can identify drivers and track vehicles based on movement patterns. This development contradicts the company's previous public statements that its technology could not recognize or track individuals. The tool leverages a network of cameras in over 6,000 communities to log vehicle movements. It can identify potential witnesses by analyzing how frequently their cars pass through a specific area or pinpoint a driver's 'associates' by tracking vehicles that appear together across cameras. The system integrates with police case files, 911 dispatch logs, and commercial identity records, allowing license plates to be linked to names, home addresses, and relatives. It also enables searches for individuals in a defined area based solely on physical descriptions. The software includes 69 prewritten prompts for officers, who can also creat...

Rhode Island Governor Imposes Moratorium on New License Plate Reader Cameras Amidst Privacy Concerns

Rhode Island Governor Imposes Moratorium on New License Plate Reader Cameras Amidst Privacy Concerns

Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee has ordered a statewide moratorium on the installation and activation of new automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras, such as those from Flock Safety. This decision comes in response to growing controversy and privacy concerns surrounding the technology, which has been criticized for enabling nationwide mass surveillance and potential misuse of data by law enforcement. The governor's order prohibits the state police from installing new cameras for two months and urges cities and towns across Rhode Island to follow suit. During this 60-day period, a review of the technology's use will be conducted, with the goal of establishing uniform statewide standards. Existing cameras may continue to operate, but the pause aims to allow for the development of clear and consistent rules to balance public safety with personal privacy.

Website Launched to Check if License Plates Have Been Tracked by Flock Cameras Amid Privacy Concerns

Website Launched to Check if License Plates Have Been Tracked by Flock Cameras Amid Privacy Concerns

A new website, HaveIBeenFlocked.com, has been launched to allow individuals to check if their license plate information has been searched within Flock Safety's nationwide network of cameras. This initiative comes amidst growing privacy concerns regarding the use of Flock cameras by law enforcement agencies, local communities, schools, and businesses. Users can enter their license plate number into the portal to see if it has appeared in searches conducted by Flock's customers. The website clarifies that it shows what customers have searched for, not necessarily every license plate captured by the cameras. HaveIBeenFlocked.com is an independent project, financially supported by the Alternative Newsweekly Foundation, and aims to operate as a nonprofit.

Flock Safety Implements New Policies to Address ALPR Data Privacy and Misuse Concerns

Flock Safety Implements New Policies to Address ALPR Data Privacy and Misuse Concerns

Flock Safety, a prominent provider of automated license plate reader (ALPR) technology, has announced several new policies aimed at addressing growing concerns regarding data privacy and potential misuse by law enforcement agencies. These updates include a change to the default data retention period from 30 days to seven days, a new 'Evidence Mode' feature allowing investigators to retain specific ALPR data for active investigations beyond the standard retention period, and mandatory implementation of its 'Audit Assistance' feature for all law enforcement customers by the end of 2026. Additionally, case codes will be required for all law enforcement searches by year-end, and the company is encouraging customers to publish Transparency Portals. These changes come in response to increased scrutiny and documented instances of ALPR misuse, including officers tracking romantic partners or exes, as highlighted by investigations and cases in South Carolina. Local agencies in the Tri-County area of South Carolina ...

Flock Surveillance Faces Mounting Backlash and Vandalism Calls Amid Privacy Concerns and Police Misuse

Flock Surveillance Faces Mounting Backlash and Vandalism Calls Amid Privacy Concerns and Police Misuse

Flock, a surveillance technology company, is experiencing increased public backlash and calls for vandalism against its automated license plate readers (ALPRs). This surge in negative sentiment follows reports of police misuse of the system, including instances of officers allegedly stalking former partners and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents accessing local police Flock systems without dedicated contracts. The company's CEO, Garrett Langley, recently apologized for documented abuses of the system. An online campaign, dubbed 'De-Flock America,' is encouraging participants to vandalize Flock's ALPRs on Halloween 2026, with posts circulating on social media platforms. In response to the growing criticism, Flock announced several changes, including reducing its standard data retention period from 30 days to seven, introducing an 'Evidence Mode' for law enforcement to retain data for ongoing casework, and implementing controls for police agencies to restrict search types by outside forces. Add...

Seattle Residents Rally Against Surveillance Cameras, Citing Privacy Concerns and Potential Federal Misuse

Seattle Residents Rally Against Surveillance Cameras, Citing Privacy Concerns and Potential Federal Misuse

A group of Seattle residents, including members of Seattle Indivisible and the Communities Not Cameras Coalition, rallied at Seattle City Hall to protest the city's use of real-time closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras and automated license plate readers (ALPR). The protest followed a tour of the Seattle Police Department’s Real Time Crime Center, after which critics expressed increased concerns about the transparency and privacy implications of the surveillance system. Speaker Cliff Cawthon described the system as 'Swiss cheese,' riddled with holes despite promises of transparency and safety. The groups are advocating for the nullification of existing contracts and the removal of all cameras to safeguard the privacy of Seattle residents. This comes after Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson temporarily turned off CCTV cameras in the Stadium District following the FIFA World Cup matches, fulfilling a commitment to limit their use to the event's duration.

Rhode Island Governor Imposes Moratorium on Flock Camera Installation Amid Privacy Concerns

Rhode Island Governor Imposes Moratorium on Flock Camera Installation Amid Privacy Concerns

Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee has ordered a statewide moratorium on the installation and activation of new automated license plate reader cameras, such as those from Flock Safety. This decision comes in response to growing privacy concerns regarding nationwide mass surveillance and potential misuse of data by law enforcement agencies. The governor's order prohibits the state police from installing new cameras for two months and urges cities and towns to follow suit. During this 60-day period, a review of the technology's use will be conducted to establish uniform statewide standards for the cameras and the data they collect. While new installations are paused, existing Flock cameras operated by the Rhode Island State Police may continue to function. The Department of Public Safety, Rhode Island Police Chiefs’ Association, and the Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns will collaborate to formulate new guidelines, with the ultimate goal of advancing new legislation in January 2027 to codify more protecti...

Calhan Police Chief Announces Permanent Removal of Flock Camera System

Calhan Police Chief Announces Permanent Removal of Flock Camera System

Calhan Police Chief Anthony Tribuzio announced via social media that the Flock camera system has been permanently removed from the town of Calhan and will not be reinstated. Furthermore, the police department confirmed that no other brand of automated license plate reader will replace the Flock camera. This decision by the Calhan Police Department follows a similar move by the Salida Police Department, which recently terminated its contract with Flock Safety and ceased using their automated license plate readers. The announcement signifies a definitive end to the use of this specific surveillance technology in Calhan.

Moore County Commissioners to Hold Public Meeting on Flock Camera Privacy Concerns

Moore County Commissioners to Hold Public Meeting on Flock Camera Privacy Concerns

Moore County commissioners are holding a special public meeting with the sheriff's office to discuss Flock cameras, which are automatic license plate readers. The meeting, scheduled for Monday at 4 p.m. in the Grand Hall of the Moore County Senior Enrichment Center in West End, was planned weeks ago due to ongoing community concerns about privacy and potential misuse of the system. The Moore County Sheriff's Office is expected to present information on the cameras and address public questions. This comes less than a week after Moore County deputies reportedly used these cameras to track Demetrius Aggelis, a suspect in a triple homicide in Pinebluff. Flock Safety, the Atlanta-based company behind the cameras, states their devices are designed to assist in locating missing persons, identifying stolen vehicles, and tracking criminal suspects. However, critics are concerned about the breadth of data searches and the oversight of officer access, especially given past accusations of two North Carolina officers u...