Flock Safety’s automated license plate readers (ALPRs) are being rapidly deployed by HOAs and law enforcement, creating a massive, privately-operated surveillance network. These cameras don’t just target suspect vehicles; they capture data on every car that passes, logging movements in a centralized cloud database. While marketed as a tool for solving crimes like burglaries, this system introduces significant civil liberties risks.
The core issue is “surveillance creep”–the slow, normalization of constant monitoring. Data is stored by a third-party vendor, creating risks of breach or misuse. The technology’s expansion is outpacing the development of meaningful regulation, forcing communities to confront a difficult tradeoff between perceived safety and the fundamental right to privacy in public spaces.