|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
LOS ANGELES (BFMG) — The Los Angeles Police Department will allow its contract with automated license plate reader vendor Flock Safety to expire Saturday, July 11, following a breakdown in negotiations over data privacy and ownership.
The department said it could not reach agreement with Flock on key terms covering who owns license plate reader data, how that data can be shared, and what privacy safeguards are required.
Police officials have pushed for civil penalties if Flock shares user data with agencies that do not comply with California and local privacy laws, including federal immigration authorities such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
How Flock’s system works
Flock’s technology relies on a network of fixed cameras that capture license plates and associated location data, which police say is a valuable investigative tool in cases ranging from stolen vehicles to violent crime.
The LAPD maintains it has strict internal policies and conducts regular audits to ensure the system is used only for legitimate law enforcement purposes and to prevent unauthorized access or misuse.
Civil liberties concerns
Civil liberties groups such as the Stop LAPD Spying Coalition, which has previously sued the department over its use of license plate readers, argue the technology is inherently invasive and prone to abuse.
They say the contract suspension shows sustained community pressure is beginning to curb mass surveillance, particularly tools that collect data on drivers who are not suspected of any crime.
One critic questioned whether the investigative benefits outweigh the broader harm to privacy, saying officials must weigh “the level of harm” that comes with tracking large numbers of innocent people.
Advocates also note that automated readers are not perfectly accurate, sometimes misreading plates and triggering wrongful stops or investigations for drivers who have done nothing wrong.
Unanswered questions
LAPD officials have not said how many Flock cameras will be shut off or deactivated immediately after the contract ends.
The department also has not disclosed what specific civil penalty amounts it is seeking, or how close the two sides are to reaching terms that would satisfy the city’s privacy and constitutional safeguards.
Flock Safety’s response
Flock Safety said it remains hopeful the partnership can continue and characterized the suspension as a “pause” while negotiations proceed.
In a statement, a company spokesperson said Flock is confident that ongoing talks with LAPD can address “current misconceptions” and lead to a renewed agreement.
What’s next
Negotiations between LAPD and Flock Safety are ongoing, and the department has indicated its use of Flock’s tools will remain suspended until the company agrees to contract terms that, in the department’s view, fully protect the constitutional rights and privacy of Angelenos.
Sources:
Los Angeles Police Department statements; Flock Safety public statement; Stop LAPD Spying Coalition and other civil liberties advocates; prior coverage of LAPD automated license plate reader program.
