Full Breakdown
Concerns Over Flock Safety's License Plate Reader Data Sharing Prompt Silicon Valley Contract Cancellations
3/6/2026, 8:03:10 AM
Overview of the Situation
The automated license plate reading (ALPR) company Flock Safety is facing significant backlash in Silicon Valley, leading to the cancellation of its public safety contracts by several local governments. The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors recently joined Los Altos Hills and Mountain View in severing ties with Flock due to concerns over unauthorized data-sharing practices that allegedly allowed out-of-state police access to local camera data.
Key Events and Findings
The controversy began when it was revealed that Flock Safety had enabled a national "lookup" feature on its camera network without the consent of local authorities. This feature allowed police departments from states such as Massachusetts and Georgia to access data from California's ALPR systems, which is prohibited under California law established by Senate Bill 34. This law restricts the sharing of license plate data with out-of-state or federal agencies.
In a recent audit, it was found that the camera network in Los Altos recorded 20 searches by out-of-state police related to immigration violations within the first two months of 2025. Local officials expressed concern that Flock's practices were not only unlawful but also indicative of a lack of oversight. Los Altos City Manager Gabriel Engeland stated that while they believe their data has not been improperly accessed, only Flock can confirm this.
Official Responses and Statements
Flock Safety spokesperson Paris Lewbel defended the company, asserting that the cancellation of contracts would hinder public safety and delay criminal investigations. He emphasized that Flock has implemented measures to comply with California law, including disabling the national lookup feature for California agencies and preventing unauthorized access to data.
Los Altos Police Chief Saskia Lagergren expressed disappointment in Flock's business practices, citing a lack of transparency and communication regarding system settings. Meanwhile, Santa Clara Police Lt. Eric Lagergren clarified that the city was unaware of the out-of-state searches until after they occurred, asserting that the logs do not indicate that Santa Clara data was specifically targeted.
Criticism and Opposition
Critics of the ALPR systems, including immigrant rights advocates, have raised concerns about the potential for misuse of surveillance technology. Huy Tran, executive director of Services, Immigrant Rights and Education Network (SIREN), warned that the definition of crime could expand to include dissent, raising ethical questions about mass surveillance. SIREN has partnered with the Electronic Frontier Foundation and the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California to challenge warrantless searches conducted by San Jose police using Flock cameras.
What's Next
Following the recent contract cancellations, the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office is actively seeking alternative vendors for ALPR systems. The sheriff's office has stated that it will support local cities in exploring new options, ensuring that no national lookup features are enabled on any future networks.
Verbatim Quotes
- “This looks unlawful,” — Brian Hofer, Executive Director, Secure Justice
- “I am disappointed in some of Flock’s business practices that have been out of our control and of which we have been unaware,” — Saskia Lagergren, Police Chief, Los Altos
- “We keep getting told this tech is there to stop crime — to fight crime — but what happens when the definition of crime expands to include dissent?” — Huy Tran, Executive Director, SIREN
- “We are currently exploring alternative options and will support the cities if they choose to pursue another automated license plate reader vendor,” — Sgt. Brooks Jarosz, Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office
