There is a lot of controversy over Flock cameras and how they collect information. They are used by law enforcement to track vehicle make, model, color, license plates, and even dents on cars in an effort to help solve crimes. However, a portion of the general public sees this technology as a way for the government to track everyone, not just criminals. This concern is enough to cause people to damage cameras.
In the town of Winona, Minnesota, eight Flock cameras disappeared overnight. Police investigating the scene discovered that the eight metal poles holding the Flock cameras had been cut near the base. The damaged poles were found abandoned nearby and the security cameras – owned by Flock Group Inc – were missing. The total cost of the damage was approximately $24,000. Police are asking the public for help, but have reportedly received comments on social media such as: “The Flock cameras have broken down.”
Flock Safety is reported to have a network of more than 120,000 Flock cameras installed across 49 states. All of these are designed to photograph a vehicle’s license plate. The system is designed to give law enforcement access to a large database to help them locate missing people, stolen cars and track down suspects. The program has led to the arrest of several suspects, such as in a mass shooting at Brown University in 2025.
Why people are unhappy with Flock cameras
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Although the program may lead to arrests, there is massive public outrage against Flock Safety and its entire Flock camera system. Residents and privacy advocates believe data collected by the cameras can be used to reveal sensitive information about the vehicle and its owner. And that led to people across the United States destroying Flock’s traffic cameras.
Experts warn that aggregated plate data could be used to track where a car has been in the past. These places could be doctor visits, religious events, or even related to political affiliation. The data could then be used by law enforcement to monitor where a car is. However, it is even reported that the Flock camera system can also be used to track people.
Herd cameras are linked together, creating a massive web between each camera. If a car is traveling interstate, the police may be alerted to this information. They have also been misused by law enforcement, claiming they were used to conduct a nationwide search using more than 83,000 Flock cameras to find a woman who had an abortion. Flock and a Texas sheriff said she was not a criminal suspect, but they were concerned for her safety.
What is Flock’s response?
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Flock Safety has implemented measures both to protect its Flock cameras and to reduce access to images and the length of time videos can be viewed by law enforcement. The company offers the Flock Camera Protection Plan to agencies that choose it. It is a kind of insurance to repair or replace damaged or missing Flock cameras. If an agency adheres to the plan, Flock says it will replace the camera at no additional cost. This covers collisions, weather and vandalism.
When it comes to active Flock cameras, the company changes the data storage duration. Instead of data remaining in the system for a month, it now only lasts a week. A statement from Flock indicates that if an agency seeks to retain data for longer periods of time, it can enter a case number to extend it.
In an effort to reduce misuse of its Flock camera system, Flock Safety is also working on a new system to lock out users. Its audit assistance program will prevent a user from further research if it detects what it considers “abnormal activity.” If you want to bypass a Flock camera, there is a free tool to help you avoid an AI traffic camera.
