Vehicle surveillance cameras have been deployed in over 4,000 municipalities spanning 42 states by Flock, a company advocating for increased monitoring capabilities. Flock generates revenue and enhances shareholder value by supplying local law enforcement agencies with AI-powered tracking hardware and software, for which these agencies willingly pay an annual fee of $3,000. Recent reports from Forbes indicate that the Atlanta-based firm has experienced an extraordinary growth rate of nearly 2,700% since 2020, partly attributed to their willingness to push legal boundaries in the installation and surveillance of their devices.
Flock utilizes advanced artificial intelligence technology to create a unique “fingerprint” for each vehicle, matching characteristics such as make, model, and appearance to Department of Transportation (DOT) registered license plate numbers. Law enforcement officials favor Flock’s technology, asserting that it provides more precise identification of potential suspects at a lower cost compared to rival systems like Motorola.
Forbes’ investigation reveals the extent to which Flock is willing to bend the rules in aiding law enforcement efforts to apprehend criminals. The company has been found to obtain improper permits for hundreds of camera installations, violating regulations in states like Florida, Illinois, South Carolina, Texas, and Washington.
In South Carolina, State Transportation Secretary Christy Hall disclosed that over 200 unregistered Flock monitors were uncovered during routine traffic monitoring activities since Spring 2022. Following this discovery, the state mandated a comprehensive security and compliance evaluation of all Flock cameras statewide in July 2023, imposing a moratorium on new installations.
Moreover, concerns have been raised regarding the handling of tracking data by Flock. Representative Todd Rutherford of South Carolina voiced apprehensions about the lack of transparency surrounding data access and storage:
“People are unaware of what is happening with that information, who has access to it, and who keeps it,” he expressed. “All of that violates our individual liberty without our awareness. It’s getting to the point where a business is willing to break the rules to place these devices.”
During a recent presentation, Flock CEO Garrett Langley disclosed that their devices now encompass approximately 70% of the population and contribute to resolving around 2,200 incidents daily. Notably, Riverside County, California, operates a network of 309 monitors scanning 27.5 million vehicles monthly as part of their agreement with Flock.
In a communication exchange with Flock personnel in June 2022, an Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) official reported numerous instances of flawed and repetitive applications for camera installations. In response, a Flock representative threatened to escalate the matter to higher authorities if corrective actions were not promptly taken, suggesting that “about 30 different police chiefs” would be contacted regarding the issue.
This article was originally published on Jalopnik.
