Flock Safety Surveillance Cameras: New Police Abuse Controls 2026

Flock Safety surveillance cameras have become a ubiquitous tool for law enforcement, conducting about 20 billion license plate scans every month across the US. However, after numerous scandals involving police officers abusing the system, the company is now mandating new safety features to curb misuse. These changes aim to restore public trust while balancing safety and privacy concerns.

Flock Safety's New Mandatory Audit Features

In response to reports that over 50 law enforcement officers were accused or charged with abusing the camera system—including stalking ex-partners—Flock Safety's CEO, Garrett Langley, announced on Thursday that the company will require all customers to activate features that help audit officer usage. Previously, these features were voluntary, and only about a third of customers had enabled them. Now, all law enforcement agencies, retailers, universities, and homeowner associations must activate the Audit Assistance feature by the end of the year.

The new system automatically suspends a user when abnormal behavior is flagged, pending a review. However, the company has not yet detailed what constitutes "abnormal" activity. This move is part of a broader effort to increase accountability and transparency in the use of surveillance technology.

How the New Controls Work

Under the updated policy, agencies can also restrict the sharing of license plate scans with other agencies. Instead of giving free rein to partner agencies to access all scans, they can now limit sharing to specific investigations, such as stolen vehicle cases or missing persons. This change gives agencies more control over their data and reduces the risk of misuse.

Why Flock Safety Is Making These Changes

Flock Safety has faced mounting criticism and legal challenges over privacy violations and the potential for abuse. The company's proactive stance now aims to mitigate these concerns. By mandating these features, Flock Safety is signaling that it takes the misuse of its technology seriously. The changes reflect years of work and deliberation, according to Langley, and are not the end of the company's commitment to safety and privacy.

Key Takeaways for Consumers and Agencies

• All Flock Safety customers must activate Audit Assistance by December 31, 2025.
• Users flagged for abnormal activity will be automatically suspended pending review.
• Agencies can now restrict data sharing to specific investigation types.
• These measures aim to prevent stalking and other abusive behaviors by officers.

What This Means for Privacy and Surveillance

While these new controls are a step forward, privacy advocates argue that more transparency is needed. The lack of a clear definition for "abnormal" activity could lead to inconsistent enforcement. However, the mandatory nature of the audit features is a significant improvement over the previous opt-in system. As surveillance technology becomes more prevalent, such safeguards are crucial to protect civil liberties.

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