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Flock Safety, the US surveillance technology company, is facing growing pressure as municipalities question its data practices, privacy safeguards and law-enforcement access. The latest setback came from Boston, where officials ended the company’s license plate reader pilot after discovering that a data-sharing setting had allowed external law-enforcement agencies to access vehicle information.
According to Boston’s 2025 surveillance technology report, “ The city had contracted Flock to operate about 45 cameras. The system was supposed to prevent external agencies from accessing Boston data. Officials said a vendor error enabled nationwide access during the early part of the five-month trial.”
The Boston Police Department later recorded 11,004 searches during the pilot. An internal audit found that officers included a case number in only about half of those searches, prompting recommendations for tighter controls.
Flock is also facing a growing wave of contract cancellations. Data compiled by Secure Justice showed that 214 US cities and counties had ended relationships with Flock since 2021, including 90 cancellations in August 2026 alone. The company’s technology captures license plates and other vehicle characteristics before adding the information to a searchable network. Law-enforcement agencies say the system can help locate missing people, recover stolen vehicles and support criminal investigations. However, critics have raised concerns about prolonged tracking and potential misuse.
Flock responded by changing its platform and introducing additional privacy controls. The company has said customers can apply restrictions to searches and has acknowledged concerns surrounding misuse.
The pressure is also reaching inside the company. Reportedly, Flock recently offered employees a voluntary separation programme as it deals with rising public criticism, customer attrition and increased operating pressure.
The growing disputes over data access and accountability are forcing the company and its customers to reassess how its expanding camera network should operate.
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