Flock Safety faces backlash over privacy concerns and surveillance risks

Concerns regarding the surveillance practices of Flock Safety were raised during a recent government meeting, highlighting the implications of automated license plate readers (ALPRs) on privacy and community safety. Flock Safety, which provides surveillance services to law enforcement and private entities, has installed tens of thousands of ALPRs across over 4,000 communities in the United States. These cameras capture images of every vehicle passing by, storing data such as license plate numbers, timestamps, and locations for a minimum of 30 days.

Critics, including the American Civil Liberties Union and the Electronic Frontier Foundation, argue that Flock Safety's marketing claims about crime reduction lack substantial evidence and that the technology poses significant privacy risks. Reports of misuse, including stalking by law enforcement, have further fueled concerns about the potential for abuse of the data collected.

In Maple Grove, a relationship between the local police department and Flock Safety has come under scrutiny, particularly regarding the deployment of an ALPR camera at the Elm Creek Park Reserve. The Maple Grove Police Department reportedly shares its ALPR data with 33 other agencies, including some outside Minnesota, raising questions about the adequacy of state regulations governing such data sharing.

The speaker urged the council to carefully evaluate the implications of its partnership with Flock Safety, advocating for third-party audits of data use and clearer signage to inform residents about the presence of ALPRs. The call for transparency and accountability aims to reassure the community that their privacy is being protected amidst growing surveillance practices.