Police are using surveillance technology to stalk love interests, a dystopian trend highlighted by a recent report on Flock Safety, a company with over 80,000 cameras across the US. The tech, which captures license plate data, has been misused by officers to track exes, partners, and strangers, according to the Institute for Justice.
Flock's Surveillance Network Raises Alarms
Flock's automated license plate readers (ALPRs) are widespread, but the scale of its network and ease of data access are concerning. An ACLU investigation found that default agreements allow data sharing with federal agencies, including ICE for deportation efforts. Flock claims it does not work with ICE but notes that federal partners can share data with other law enforcement.
Officers Misusing Data
At least 14 cases of officers accessing ALPR data for romantic stalking have been reported, though many more likely go undetected. The Institute for Justice notes that only a few cases were discovered through internal investigations; one victim found out via HaveIbeenflocked.com. Flock says it supports democratically authorized oversight, but critics argue the system places private movement data in every officer's hands without warrants.
Wider Abuses
An EFF analysis found police using Flock to surveil activist groups and protests. A Texas sheriff's office searched ALPR data for a woman suspected of self-managing an abortion, scanning 6,809 camera networks across states with abortion protections. Flock has since added safeguards, but dozens of towns have dropped the company.
Flock's Ambitions
CEO Garret Langley envisions a crime-free US within a decade, expanding into drone programs. Critics fear this could lead to authoritarian overreach. Meanwhile, other news highlights misogyny in public life, press freedom declines, and abortion ban impacts.
