Flock, a manufacturer of surveillance cameras, has announced measures to combat misuse, including shortening the data retention period from 30 days to 7 days and adding purpose-based filtering functionality.
Flock Safety (Flock), which has built a nationwide network of surveillance cameras for license plate tracking in the United States, has announced measures to prevent misuse following scandals such as 'surveillance camera footage being misused by police officers for stalking.'
Flock Updates Privacy, Accountability, Security, and Transparency Safeguards
What's Changing at Flock: Strengthening Privacy, Security & Accountability - YouTube
Flock unveils changes after Post report on police misuse of camera network - The Washington Post
https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2026/08/13/flock-unveils-changes-after-post-report-police-misuse-its-network/
Flock Safety tries to curb police abuse of its surveillance cameras after scandals | Technology | The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/aug/13/flock-safety-police-abuse-surveillance-cameras
Flock's license plate scan information is accessed 20 billion times a month by law enforcement agencies, but security concerns have been raised, including instances of police officers misusing the data for personal stalking purposes.
Police chief found to have used 'Flock' license plate tracking system to stalk his ex-girlfriend - GIGAZINE
In response to the issue, Flock has decided to shorten the data retention period from 30 days to 7 days by default. This is because the vast majority of investigations can be completed within 7 days, and an 'evidence mode' will be introduced for exceptional cases that require longer periods. Existing customers will maintain their current retention period, which was decided through democratic approval. Customers who choose Flock's recommended 7-day retention period will receive 'evidence mode' free of charge.
Furthermore, a 'violation type filtering' system will be introduced to allow for detailed selection of the types of data that can be accessed, such as 'stolen vehicles,' 'missing persons,' and 'violent crime-related data.' This will enable the system to 'deny access intended for immigration enforcement,' while also allowing multiple municipalities to cooperate in areas where policies align.
Flock CEO Garrett Langley told the Washington Post that Flock had hoped local governments would voluntarily implement fraud prevention features, and therefore refrained from making it mandatory. He revealed that when this did not happen, Flock took the initiative to intervene.
Max Isaacs of New York University Law School called Flock's policy change 'something to be happy about,' but pointed out that 'the system should have been designed that way from the beginning.' He also questioned the practice, saying, 'This kind of safety measure should be mandated by law and be the standard everywhere, so relying on just one company to implement it is going against the times.'
Furthermore, Flock has commissioned Bishop Fox , a major independent security company, to conduct a thorough review of its products and features, and plans to publish the results and the corrective actions taken in September 2026.
Related Posts:
in Security, Posted by logc_nt