Police want Axon's cameras redesigned so they don't get mistaken for Flock's

As Flock's AI-powered surveillance cameras face growing unpopularity across the US, law enforcement clients of another provider, Axon, have proposed a solution: redesigning Axon's cameras to avoid the same backlash. Axon is currently considering design changes to its Automatic License Plate Readers (ALPRs), aiming to make them less conspicuous and distinguishable from Flock's cameras. The strategy indicates that surveillance companies are proactively addressing the negative press surrounding mass surveillance.

Axon is primarily known for supplying police departments with body cameras and ALPRs, which automatically log license plates into searchable databases. However, Flock's cameras gained prominence as their devices were installed in thousands of communities. When privacy advocates began destroying Flock cameras and numerous communities canceled their contracts, some replaced them with Axon's. But Axon's pole-mounted ALPRs closely resemble Flock's, raising concerns that they could also become targets.

During a now-deleted webinar held by Axon, CEO Rick Smith revealed that the company is exploring changes to the appearance of its cameras after receiving numerous customer requests. Axon's Lightpost program also focuses on placing cameras on streetlights, making them harder to reach. Another strategy could involve labeling the cameras and explaining a community's ALPR policy through signs.

As AI-powered surveillance cameras come under scrutiny for potential misreading of license plates, more than a dozen officers have been caught using them to stalk former romantic partners. Some departments have instructed officers to avoid mentioning their deployment. Despite hundreds of cities canceling contracts with Flock, the company claims that new contracts outweigh cancellations by a ratio of 10 to one.