{
  "id": 6120756,
  "title": "The Flock backlash is coming for retail",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/the-flock-backlash-is-coming-for-retail",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-07T08:11:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Business Insider",
    "slug": "business-insider",
    "url": "https://www.businessinsider.com/flock-safety-license-plate-readers-retail-consumer-backlash-ulta-lowes-2026-9"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Retail chains Ulta Beauty and Lowe's are facing pressure to sever ties with security provider Flock Safety following a nationwide backlash against the company's surveillance technology. City governments have canceled their contracts with Flock, and now consumers are targeting retail giants that partner with the firm. Critics argue that the deployment of Flock's systems, which include automated license plate readers and AI cameras, raises serious privacy concerns. Rachel LaPointe, a content creator, expressed shock at Ulta's partnership with Flock, given the company's predominantly female customer base. Flock claims its technology is used to deter and investigate crimes, but investigations have shown it can misread license plates, leading to wrongful arrests. As public sentiment turns against Flock, city governments and individuals are exploring ways to limit or eliminate the company's surveillance presence.",
  "summary": "Consumers are calling out retailers like Ulta Beauty and Lowe's for having contracts with Flock Safety, which sells automated license-plate readers.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}