Cities and police departments drop Flock cameras after privacy pushback

In short: A growing number of cities and police departments are canceling, pausing, or rejecting Flock camera contracts after organized local pushback over privacy.

What's going on

Flock sells automated license plate readers, which are cameras that take pictures of passing cars and turn license plates into searchable records (like making a quick card in a filing cabinet for each plate). Supporters say these tools can help find stolen cars and solve crimes. Critics say they can also create broad tracking of everyday people.

Reporting highlighted that this is not just an online argument. The ACLU says residents in many communities have successfully pushed leaders to cancel contracts or deactivate cameras. The ACLU also launched a campaign called “Get the Flock Out” to coordinate lawsuits, public advocacy, and efforts to change local and state rules.

The number of local pullbacks has grown over time. Some earlier reporting counted 23 jurisdictions that voted to cancel or reject Flock contracts. Other coverage said that by August 2026, at least 56 municipalities had deactivated, canceled, or rejected Flock contracts.

The debate is now showing up in election campaigns. AP and PBS reported that candidates from both major parties have criticized the cameras in response to voter concern. Flock announced privacy related updates in August 2026, but NBC News and the ACLU reported that activists said the changes did not address the basic concern about surveillance.

What to watch

Expect more local fights over whether these cameras stay on, how long plate records can be kept, and who can search them. The dispute has also turned more heated in some places, including reports of vandalism against cameras and pressure campaigns aimed at retailers that work with Flock.

Source: NYTimes