Privacy Concerns with Flock License Plate Recognition (LPR) Cameras

Compass IT Compliance, an expert in IT security and compliance consulting, regularly publishes blog content on data privacy topics. This article specifically addresses the growing privacy concerns associated with LPR cameras. It is important to clarify that this unbiased article was not published in collaboration with Flock Safety or any of its proponents or critics.

You may have noticed small, black, solar-powered cameras cropping up around your neighborhood. These are likely Flock license plate recognition (LPR) cameras, a cutting-edge surveillance technology designed to bolster community security and aid law enforcement efforts. However, this widespread monitoring has sparked privacy concerns among residents, who question the balance between safety and the right to privacy in public spaces.

What Is a Flock LPR Camera?

A Flock license plate recognition (LPR) camera is an advanced surveillance technology designed by Flock Safety, primarily used to enhance security within communities and assist law enforcement. These cameras capture high-resolution images of vehicle license plates which can be crucial in investigative and law enforcement activities. Each image is automatically tagged with metadata including the date, time, and geographical location of the vehicle sighting.

Flock LPR cameras are strategically installed at key points such as neighborhood entrances, exit routes, or along public roadways. This placement allows them to monitor and record the comings and goings of vehicles, effectively creating a network of data that can be vital for tracking suspects, stolen vehicles, or missing persons associated with reported incidents.

The data captured by these cameras is processed and stored securely, with access typically granted only to authorized law enforcement bodies. This integration not only aids in real-time crime fighting and community monitoring but also helps in gathering long-term analytics for urban planning and traffic management. Additionally, Flock Safety emphasizes privacy protection measures to mitigate the potential for misuse of the sensitive data collected by its cameras.

What Is the Flock Camera Controversy?

The Flock camera privacy controversy primarily revolves around concerns and the potential for misuse of surveillance technology. LPR cameras, which are widely used by homeowners associations, police departments, and other entities, are designed to capture and store images of vehicle license plates to aid in criminal investigations and enhance community security. However, this capability has sparked significant debate and left some asking, “are license plate readers unconstitutional?”

Key Points of Controversy

1. Privacy Intrusion: Critics argue that the constant monitoring of vehicle movements constitutes an invasion of privacy. These cameras can track individuals’ movements without their consent, potentially logging where they live, work, or visit.
2. Data Security: There are concerns about how securely the data is stored and who has access to it. The risk of data breaches could expose sensitive personal information to unauthorized parties, leading to further privacy violations.
3. Surveillance Overreach: There is a fear that such surveillance technology could be used for purposes beyond those originally intended, such as tracking political activists or disproportionately monitoring certain neighborhoods, which could lead to overpolicing.
4. Lack of Regulation: The regulatory framework for using LPR technology like Flock's cameras is often unclear or non-existent. This lack of oversight means there is no uniform standard for how the data should be used or how long it should be kept, which can vary significantly by jurisdiction.
5. Community Trust: The use of these cameras can strain relationships within communities, especially in areas where residents feel they are being watched or monitored excessively. This can lead to a decrease in trust not only in local authorities but also among neighbors.
6. Potential for Misuse by Law Enforcement: Another significant concern is the potential misuse of Flock cameras by members of law enforcement for personal or improper purposes. There is apprehension that these tools could be used to track individuals for reasons unrelated to criminal investigations, such as personal grievances or unlawful surveillance.

The debate continues as communities balance the benefits of enhanced security with the fundamental rights to privacy and freedom from constant surveillance. As this technology becomes more prevalent, the call for clear regulations and strict safeguards grows louder, aiming to protect individual privacy while maintaining public safety.

Do Flock Cameras Have Facial Recognition?

Flock cameras do not incorporate facial recognition technology. They are specifically designed to capture and analyze license plate data rather than identifying individuals' faces. The primary function of these cameras is to assist law enforcement and community safety efforts by recording the license plates of vehicles, along with the time, location, and sometimes the make and model of the vehicle. This technology is geared towards tracking vehicle movements and aiding in criminal investigations, without entering the more controversial realm of facial recognition.

Flock Camera Incidents

License plate recognition technology, such as that provided by Flock Safety, is becoming increasingly common across various jurisdictions, promising enhanced security by aiding law enforcement in identifying stolen vehicles and wanted individuals. However, this technology is not without its faults, as several incidents have shown.

Last July in Española, New Mexico, a Flock Safety license plate-reading camera mistakenly identified the car of 21-year-old Jaclynn Gonzales as stolen due to a misread license plate. While driving with her 12-year-old sister, their vehicle was flagged because the camera confused the number 2 on her plate for a 7, possibly because of a license plate cover partially blocking the 2. An officer who pulled them over failed to verify the error and handcuffed both sisters, placing them in the back of his patrol car after initially holding them at gunpoint. This incident, described as traumatic by their attorney, has led to lawsuits against the city.

In 2022 a lieutenant from the Kechi Police was arrested for illegally using the Wichita Police Department’s FLOCK license plate reader system to track his estranged wife. This misuse was discovered after another officer raised concerns, prompting an audit which confirmed the lieutenant had accessed the system inappropriately.

In 2020, Brittney Gilliam and her four children were held at gunpoint and wrongfully detained by Aurora police officers who mistakenly believed their SUV was a stolen vehicle. The incident was captured on video showing the children, aged 6, 12, 14, and 17, terrified and lying face-down in a parking lot. Officers handcuffed two of the children and attempted to handcuff the youngest, whose wrists were too small for the cuffs. The officers had acted on incorrect information from a license-plate reader that was actually reporting a stolen motorcycle from Montana, not the Colorado-plated SUV driven by Gilliam. The family, who had planned a leisurely day out, sued the city of Aurora, Chief Vanessa Wilson, and the involved officers for the traumatic and legally baseless stop.

While the number of crimes thwarted and vehicles recovered using such systems far surpasses the incidents of mistaken identity and misuse, the consequences of even a single error can be severe and long-lasting. These incidents underscore the critical need for stringent checks, balances, and accountability in the deployment of surveillance technologies to prevent errors, misuse, and protect the rights of individuals.

Are License Plate Readers an Invasion of Privacy?

License plate recognition (LPR) cameras, also referred to as license plate readers, are a subject of ongoing debate when it comes to privacy concerns. These systems, which capture and store data from vehicle license plates, are lauded for their effectiveness in aiding law enforcement and enhancing community safety, but they also raise significant privacy issues.

Critics argue that LPRs can be an invasion of privacy because they collect information without the consent of the individuals being monitored. This data can provide detailed insights into a person's daily routine, tracking their movements across various locations and potentially revealing sensitive personal information. The ability of LPRs to store data for extended periods further exacerbates these concerns, as it allows for the creation of long-term location histories that could potentially be accessed by unauthorized individuals or entities.

However, advocates for LPR cameras assert that driving on public roads is often viewed as an activity where one does not have a reasonable expectation of privacy. Vehicles travel in public view, and the notion that one's license plate could be recorded is not out of the ordinary. This perspective suggests that using LPRs in public spaces does not infringe on privacy to the extent some critics claim, since the areas monitored are not private.

Despite this, the lack of comprehensive regulatory oversight on how this data is used and who can access it is a critical issue. Without strict guidelines and transparency, there is a risk that this data could be misused for purposes beyond its intended scope, such as tracking political activists, conducting personal vendettas, or other inappropriate surveillance activities.

While proponents of LPRs cite the significant role these tools play in solving crimes and finding stolen vehicles, the potential for privacy infringements cannot be overlooked. Balancing the benefits of LPR technology with robust privacy protections and clear legal frameworks is essential to ensure they do not become tools for undue surveillance and privacy invasion.

ANPR Vs ALPR Vs LPR Cameras

ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition), ALPR (Automatic License Plate Recognition), and LPR (License Plate Recognition) cameras all refer to similar surveillance technologies with slight differences mostly in terminology, depending on the region. ANPR is commonly used in the UK and parts of Europe and refers to systems that automatically detect and read vehicle license plates, primarily used for traffic management and security purposes. ALPR is more frequently used in the United States and Canada and denotes a similar technology that captures, processes, and stores images of vehicle license plates along with time and location data, often integrated into law enforcement and toll collection systems. LPR is a more general term that encompasses both ANPR and ALPR technologies, focusing on the capability to read and record license plates without specifying the automation or application specifics. Despite these minor differences in naming, all these systems serve the primary function of monitoring and recording vehicle movements for various applications, from law enforcement to traffic regulation.

Closing Thoughts

As communities around the nation integrate Flock LPR cameras and other similar surveillance tools, the narrative around public safety and personal privacy continues to evolve. These technologies offer significant advantages by aiding law enforcement and enhancing security, yet they simultaneously raise complex questions about privacy and surveillance ethics. The incidents and debates discussed illustrate the delicate balance that must be maintained between leveraging technology for public good and safeguarding individual rights. Moving forward, it is imperative for communities, lawmakers, and technology providers to engage in thoughtful dialogue and develop comprehensive policies that address these concerns. The ongoing evolution of surveillance technology challenges us to reassess our values and the measures necessary to uphold them in our increasingly monitored environments.