We Spotted So Many Workarounds for Flock’s New Rules on Police Camera Surveillance
Toothless limitations aren’t a great look for Flock’s modern surveillance.
Dozens of police abuse cases have prompted Flock Safety to announce new policies for its AI surveillance cameras. These cameras can track license plates, car features, and humans, along with detecting gunshots. However, they have faced scrutiny over enabling casual surveillance and documented police abuses. In response, Flock implemented changes that won't take effect until the end of the year.
The ACLU criticized Flock's previous measures, stating that police easily circumvented them. Flock now reduces its camera data retention period from 30 to seven days, but existing customers will keep their previous retention periods for a while. The new "audit assistance" feature will flag suspicious camera use and require administrator review.
Police departments can set their own limits for sharing data, and there are exceptions that allow departments to bypass new requirements. Flock has built in several exceptions, leaving the enforcement of new rules in the hands of police and sheriff's departments, potentially allowing them to continue using the cameras as they see fit.
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