Our right to move freely and privately, without being tracked, is fundamental to our democracy. But in recent years, we’ve seen a rise in surveillance technology companies.
Flock is one of the largest of those companies, operating a network of AI-powered, automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras nationwide. While Flock is the largest provider and gets the most public attention, all ALPR cameras carry the same problematic concerns. They capture details about us and our vehicles as we move about our daily lives and store them in a massive database that can be searched by law enforcement. Flock is also known for having multiple data leaks.
100,000 ALPR cameras are being used in more than 6,000 cities and towns – do you know if yours is one of them? Earn your Easy A this week by finding out!
You can start by searching this crowdsourced map hosted by deflock.org. Search it to see exact ALPR camera locations near you. This map includes ALPR cameras from Flock and other companies.
If you want to take it one step further, you can submit a public records request. Every state has its own version of the Freedom of Information Act or Public Records Act that details how you can get copies of local records. Submitting a public records request only takes a few minutes to send and could tell you how the data that is being stored by Flock is being used by law enforcement in your town.
How to File A Public Records Request
Click here to find out which office to contact in your state, and which state law/code applies.
Use this language to write to your local officials. Copy and adapt it to the right law or code.
“I’d like to make a request in accordance with [insert your state law/code/statute, e.g. Ohio Revised Code 149.43] of the following records:
- Flock Organization Audits, documenting all searches of license plate reader data conducted by [YOUR CITY] officials between [ONE YEAR BEFORE DATE] and [DATE].
- Flock Network Audits, documenting all searches of license plate reader data conducted by entities outside of [YOUR CITY] between [ONE YEAR BEFORE DATE] and [DATE].
Please kindly provide these records within two weeks.”
The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) also has a free Public Records Letter Generator.
There is little evidence that Flock cameras help prevent or reduce crime, but there is evidence that they’re being misused to track immigrants, activists, women who’ve had abortions, and even ex-partners of law enforcement agents!
If you’re concerned about how Flock cameras are being used near you, you can organize your neighbors and friends, make public comments at local meetings, and meet with local decision makers about it. Everyday citizens have fought to keep Flock and similar companies out of their communities and you can too. Start your research today – and let us know what you find out!