The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) has suspended its use of surveillance cameras provided by Flock Safety, citing concerns over data privacy and usage. This decision comes as an existing agreement between the LAPD and the technology company was set to expire.
Flock Safety operates 138 pole-mounted cameras in Los Angeles, primarily utilized for tracking stolen vehicles and those registered to known fugitives. The company is one of several vendors supplying automated license plate readers (ALPRs) to the city. Flock has previously faced criticism for allegedly providing data that supported immigration enforcement efforts.
Dean Gialamas, the LAPD's chief information officer, stated that the department is seeking clearer contractual terms regarding data ownership and its subsequent handling. The LAPD intends to cease using Flock's services until these data privacy, security, and sharing concerns are resolved through a formal agreement. The previous three-year contract with Flock, signed in July 2023, expired on Saturday.
A Flock spokesperson expressed surprise at the LAPD's decision, asserting confidence that ongoing discussions would clarify existing misconceptions and lead to the resumption of their partnership. The spokesperson emphasized Flock's commitment to strong privacy protections and oversight for license plate reader technology, which they claim complies with California law regarding data sharing with federal authorities.
The LAPD's decision follows a report by the LAPD Inspector General, Matthew Barragan, which recommended suspending the deployment of new ALPRs and the execution of new contracts. The report highlighted a lack of formal contracts addressing data security, privacy, and access control requirements for all ALPR services. Privacy advocacy groups have also voiced opposition to Flock, advocating for the complete cessation of license plate reader usage by the department.
