Flock Safety Mandates System Controls and Shortens Data Retention Following Police Misuse Backlash

Flock Safety, the public safety technology company known for its automated license plate reader (ALPR) camera network, is rolling out mandatory security software and altering its data storage policies in an effort to prevent unauthorized monitoring by law enforcement personnel.

Under the updated system protocols, first reported by Engadget, Flock is making its Audit Assistance feature compulsory for all platform users. The security tool tracks abnormal search queries and automatically suspends accounts flagged for suspicious activity until a system administrator reviews the user's conduct. Additionally, law enforcement officers must now input specific case codes prior to running database searches, though administrators maintain the ability to override this requirement under select conditions.

Addressing the implementation of mandatory case codes, Flock Safety Chief Executive Officer Garrett Langley acknowledged past mistakes regarding platform oversight. "This is such an obvious way to curb abuse," Langley said in comments reported by The Verge. "And I said, 'Fine. You know what? I think that's right, and we got this one wrong. We should make it a requirement.'"

Alongside the access controls, the startup is decreasing its default data retention period for license plate reader information from 30 days to seven days for newly onboarded clients. The company will permit exceptions for ongoing investigations requiring longer storage, such as active cold cases. However, existing municipal accounts will retain the option to keep their previously approved data retention windows.

The operational policy changes follow years of documented incidents involving police officers misusing Flock hardware. Reports dating back to 2021 indicate officers have used the camera infrastructure to spy on individuals and stalk former partners. Civil liberties groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union and the Electronic Frontier Foundation, have also criticized Flock, alleging that the company has misled the public about the full surveillance scope of its camera technology.

The technology vendor has faced additional criticism regarding how its hardware is used in politically sensitive law enforcement actions. Concerns have been raised over allegations that the network was used to monitor a woman seeking an abortion, as well as drivers crossing state borders to buy legal marijuana. Questions have also centered on data access granted to federal immigration officials, with at least 24 people reported dead in ICE custody in 2026. Regarding immigration enforcement, Langley stated that "if the state of Texas wants to enforce immigration, they might use Flock, but they're gonna go enforce immigration no matter what Flock does."

Sustained public opposition has led to direct business impacts for the nine-year-old enterprise, which enters its tenth year of operations next year. Law enforcement agencies in jurisdictions such as Los Angeles have ended their contractual relationships with Flock. At the same time, camera hardware across the United States has suffered widespread physical damage and theft. In one Minnesota municipality, the city's entire inventory of Flock cameras was stolen overnight, prompting the local police department to announce it would not replace the equipment.

Reflecting on the public resistance and the company's growth trajectory, Langley indicated a shift toward addressing community concerns. "All I guess I'm asking for is for a fair shot," Langley told The Verge. "It took me maybe longer than it should have to realize the sheer impact of the company."