Story perspectives

States Suspend Flock Safety License-Plate Reader Contracts in September

9/6/2026

Left

Police Cancel Flock

In September 2026, police departments and state agencies in several U.S. states suspended or ended Flock Safety’s license-plate-reader contracts.
Activists and Democratic gubernatorial nominee Jocelyn Benson are demanding statewide data-access, retention and transparency rules.
Secure Justice reported 200 cities and agencies cancelled Flock contracts in August, highest since 2021.
California’s Senate Bill 1013, limiting data use, died in the Assembly, a fifth year of reforms.

Right

Police Drop Flock

In September 2026, police departments and state agencies in U.S. states suspended or terminated contracts for Flock Safety’s automatic license-plate-reader cameras.
Former Pentagon AI Policy Director Mark Beall warned the technology could create a China-like surveillance state, underscoring local resistance.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said the cameras infringe personal freedom and questioned data storage locations.
Flock Safety added a seven-day data-retention limit and mandatory misuse-detection audits for all customers.

Center

States Halt Flock

In September 2026, police departments and state agencies in multiple U.S. states suspended or terminated contracts for Flock Safety’s automatic license-plate-reader cameras.
The coverage highlights a wave of regulatory actions and funding pauses targeting the technology’s privacy risks.
Florida’s DOT revoked all license-plate-reader permits on Aug 31, giving agencies 30 days to remove them.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott paused state funding for agencies purchasing Flock hardware.

History

Historical Context

In 2013 Boston police installed a citywide license-plate-reader system that the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court later ruled invasive; the ACLU of Massachusetts sued, noting about 1.2 million reads each month and $2.5 million annual cost. Decades of privacy challenges, including 2022 ACLU reports and 2024 lawsuits, led governors Ron DeSantis, Greg Abbott and Jocelyn Benson in September 2026 to demand suspension of Flock Safety’s LPR contracts.

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Police Cancel Flock

In September 2026, police departments and state agencies in several U.S. states suspended or ended Flock Safety’s license-plate-reader contracts.
Activists and Democratic gubernatorial nominee Jocelyn Benson are demanding statewide data-access, retention and transparency rules.
Secure Justice reported 200 cities and agencies cancelled Flock contracts in August, highest since 2021.
California’s Senate Bill 1013, limiting data use, died in the Assembly, a fifth year of reforms.

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