Flock is tightening its rules in response to a growing surveillance backlash

Flock, a police-tech company, is tightening its rules in response to a growing backlash over surveillance concerns. The company, which owns a nationwide network of license plate readers used by police departments, will now require officers to enter a case number before conducting searches. This rule aims to prevent officers from using the technology to stalk and harass individuals, as highlighted by a recent Washington Post investigation that found 46 cases of unauthorized usage. Flock's system, previously an optional feature, is now mandatory.

The company is also implementing an automatic auditing system to detect suspicious search patterns, though specifics on its accuracy are not disclosed. Flock is further modifying its policy to recommend a seven-day data retention period, down from the previous 30 days, though agencies can still choose to retain data longer. Departments will also be able to limit searches to certain reasons, such as "kidnapping," rather than allowing broad searches like "investigation."

These changes come amid a backlash against Flock, with concerns over the scale of surveillance and the potential for abuse. Some cities have canceled contracts with the company, and states are even considering bans on license plate readers. The ACLU's Chad Marlow attributes the backlash to the company's scale of surveillance, which enables officers to investigate individuals without suspicion.

However, he doubts whether these incremental changes will significantly address the surveillance concerns. Flock's CEO, Garrett Langley, blames the backlash on misinformation, claiming that people mistakenly believe the company engages in facial recognition or sells data to commercial buyers. Despite implementing these changes, Langley emphasizes the company's commitment to enforcing guardrails on the technology.