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Resident warns council about Flock Safety camera vulnerabilities and privacy risks
Summary
A Woodstock resident told the council security researchers have documented dozens of vulnerabilities in the Flock Safety platform and urged caution before expanding or renewing contracts; staff said the topic will appear on a future agenda for formal consideration.
Don Francis, a software engineer and Woodstock resident, addressed the council on Jan. 20 about security, privacy and misuse concerns he says are associated with Flock Safety automated license-plate reader (ALPR) cameras and related products. He asked that council members consider vulnerabilities and litigation risk before extending or expanding contracts.
Francis told the council he compiled public reports showing what he called "51 serious vulnerabilities" across the Flock Safety platform and argued those flaws could permit remote access to cameras and create long-term location records that raise civil-liberty concerns near sensitive sites. "Access to those can be attained wirelessly through inexpensive equipment, which enables live surveillance, software modification, and potential malicious exploitation," he said, and said he provided sources and a two-page handout to council.
City staff acknowledged the comment and noted Flock Safety will be on the next meeting agenda for formal consideration. Mayor Turner thanked Francis for the references and encouraged him to address the council again when the item is on the agenda.
The council did not act on any contracts at the meeting; staff will include the matter for a future meeting and examine the documentation Francis submitted as part of that review.
