Story perspectives

Pennsylvania and Boston Halt Flock License-Plate Cameras Over Flaws

By Drooid · Sep 17, 2026, 11:27 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Police departments in Pennsylvania and Boston announced they will stop or limit Flock Safety license-plate-reader cameras.
Officials said security flaws, unauthorized data sharing, and pending legislation prompted the decision.
Governor Josh Shapiro expressed openness to a statewide ban on license-plate-reader technology.
Bipartisan Pennsylvania bills have been introduced to restrict or prohibit the cameras.
Security researchers recovered unencrypted data showing a Flock camera also records people, bicycles, and bumper-stickers.

History

Historical Context

Since facial-recognition research began in the mid-20th century, activists warned of privacy threats and algorithmic bias, citing 2021 studies that women are misidentified 18 % more often than men. Organized groups such as La Quadrature du Net, founded in 2008, have campaigned for bans, shaping recent municipal decisions that curb surveillance cameras and license-plate readers.

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Story summary

Police departments in Pennsylvania and Boston announced they will stop or limit Flock Safety license-plate-reader cameras.
Officials said security flaws, unauthorized data sharing, and pending legislation prompted the decision.
Governor Josh Shapiro expressed openness to a statewide ban on license-plate-reader technology.
Bipartisan Pennsylvania bills have been introduced to restrict or prohibit the cameras.
Security researchers recovered unencrypted data showing a Flock camera also records people, bicycles, and bumper-stickers.

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