Flock Safety halts cooperation with federal agencies amid data concerns

In August 2023, Flock Safety, a leading operator of automated license-plate reading systems in the United States, announced the suspension of its operations with federal agencies. This decision arose from growing confusion and concern among officials, particularly in Illinois, regarding the intentions behind federal investigations utilizing their data. Licensing plate cameras implemented by Flock Safety are present in over 4,000 communities nationally, aiding law enforcement in various efforts, including investigations of human trafficking and fentanyl distribution. However, the lack of clarity in communication and unexpected agency activities, especially related to sensitive topics like immigration and abortion, raised alarms. Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias highlighted these issues after a state audit revealed that Customs and Border Protection had accessed data of Illinois motorists. Although Giannoulias did not confirm if immigration-related info was sought, he reiterated that a 2023 law restricting data sharing related to out-of-state abortions and immigration violations needed enforcement. He categorized the unauthorized sharing of this data as a direct breach of state law, emphasizing the need for vigilance from Flock Safety in such matters. The complexity heightened when it was disclosed that local law enforcement agencies, not Flock Safety, owned the data collected by the cameras. Local agencies handle inquiries from federal entities, which raises questions about accountability and compliance. Flock CEO Garrett Langley acknowledged that the company failed to establish clear permission protocols within its system, leading to this communication shortfall with federal agencies. Following these revelations, Flock Safety updated its operational protocols, which now require federal inquiries to be distinctly identified to prevent misuse of data. The company also ceased allowing blanket searches by federal agencies, limiting them to one-on-one inquiries with specific police jurisdictions. Additional safeguards, such as the rejection of searches including sensitive terms like "abortion," "immigration," or "ICE," became effective in late June 2023.