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Resident urges Bay Village not to renew Flock camera contract over data concerns
Summary
A resident told council the city should not renew its contract with Flock, citing reports that Flock retains broad rights to data and examples of misuse; council and staff said the city's contract includes curbs and a public portal and that the system has assisted investigations.
Rob Loftus, a Bay Village resident, told council he is asking the city not to renew its contract with Flock, a vendor of license-plate-style camera systems. Loftus said the company’s online terms allow it to retain broad rights to use and sell camera data and cited studies and press reports alleging misuse. "Flock's terms and conditions posted on their website say that they retain a limited, non exclusive, royalty free, irrevocable, perpetual, worldwide license to use and sell all data from flock cameras," Loftus said.
Council members and staff pushed back on a simple cancellation route, saying Bay Village’s contract includes restrictions and that the cameras are a law-enforcement tool. A council member said the local contract contains curbs and a public portal intended to limit misuse: "It's a hugely important law enforcement tool that's being properly used by Bay Village Police detectives to help residents every day," a council member said. Staff said they routinely monitor portal requests and that the city could research alternative vendors if the council requests it.
Council did not take action on the comment at the meeting; staff suggested further review of contract terms and monitoring practices and noted other municipalities have renegotiated or replaced systems in response to public concerns.
