LAPD suspends use of Flock Safety license-plate cameras amid privacy concerns
The Los Angeles Police Department ended its three-year contract with surveillance firm Flock Safety over data-privacy and security issues, while the company’s CEO said it hopes to resume service after policy revisions.
The Los Angeles Police Department has terminated its three-year partnership with Flock Safety, a company that provides license-plate-reading cameras for law-enforcement investigations and missing-person searches. The decision was made to address unresolved concerns about data privacy, security and sharing, according to Dean Gialamas, the department’s chief information officer.
Flock co-founder and chief executive Garrett Langley told ABC7 that the company intends to tighten its policies and align with the department’s requirements before seeking to restore the relationship. He emphasized that the technology captures only a static image of a vehicle and reads the license plate, adding that it does not employ facial-recognition software or identify drivers.
Despite the LAPD’s withdrawal, Flock continues to operate dozens of cameras across Los Angeles County and tens of thousands nationwide. The firm says license-plate data is typically retained for 30 days unless local regulations dictate a longer period.
Community members have expressed privacy worries, with one Burbank resident noting discomfort with cameras monitoring everyday activities. Langley responded that many critics change their views once they understand the system’s limited function, arguing that the technology can aid public safety, citing its role in locating missing individuals and apprehending a suspect in a recent multi-victim homicide.
The dispute highlights an ongoing debate between privacy advocates and law-enforcement agencies over the balance between surveillance capabilities and civil liberties.