Flock “can’t tech its way out” of the stalker cop problem, experts say
Flock to lock out cops who stalk exes, but agencies can still hide abuse.
Flock, a company specializing in license plate reader technology, has announced plans to implement a safety feature designed to prevent law enforcement officers from using their access for abusive purposes such as stalking acquaintances. This audit assistance tool will automatically detect abnormal activity and temporarily suspend the officer's access, which can only be reinstated after a review by an administrator.
The purpose of this measure is to intervene before the misuse of the technology becomes a recurring problem. Although the tool has been available as an optional feature since April, only a third of agencies have utilized it. However, after one Georgia sheriff's office employed the tool and subsequently arrested three officers who were using Flock cameras to stalk acquaintances, Flock CEO Garrett Langley admitted to The Verge that the company made a mistake and felt compelled to take action.
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