Tempe turns off its Flock license plate reader system, citing privacy concerns and risk for 'misuse'
The Arizona city ended its relationship with Flock, saying that the "risk of misuse is too great" and that the cameras will be taken down.
Tempe, Arizona, has discontinued its Flock license plate reader system due to privacy concerns and allegations of misuse. The city's police force had previously utilized 33 Flock cameras for investigations, but Tempe ultimately decided to terminate the contract, citing the need to protect public trust. Mayor Corey Woods acknowledged the system's utility but emphasized the city's commitment to safeguarding individual privacy rights.
Tempe joins a growing list of cities, including Los Angeles, that have severed ties with Flock due to similar concerns. The company, which operates over 80,000 cameras across the United States, utilizes machine learning to capture license plate information and vehicle details. Despite no evidence of improper searches in Tempe's system, the police force conducted monthly audits to ensure compliance with privacy regulations.
Flock's technology has been praised for aiding law enforcement in identifying vehicles and locating suspects, but the backlash against the system has grown as more communities question the sharing of data with federal immigration authorities.
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