The South Pasadena City Council has decided not to renew its contract for 14 AI-powered license plate readers (ALPR) from Flock Safety due to significant public concerns over privacy and potential data misuse. This move follows reports that data collected by law enforcement, including information shared with South Pasadena, was accessed by federal immigration agencies (ICE) and out-of-state entities, potentially violating California’s stringent data privacy laws. The council is now exploring alternative vendors, with discussions also including a reduction in data retention periods for remaining cameras to mitigate privacy risks. The long-term implications and the specific vendors being considered are still unclear, as privacy advocates continue to push for an end to mass surveillance.