tech
What Flock’s defenders are missing
As cities reconsider the technology, it’s worth asking how the company’s design choices have shaped the trade-off between solving crimes and protecting civil liberties.
TL;DR
- Flock has updated its license plate reader platform to deter misuse like stalking.
- New requirements include officers entering a criminal case number for searches, but these numbers are not verified by Flock.
- Critics argue Flock's system facilitates mass surveillance, not just crime-solving.
- Some cities are canceling contracts and states are considering laws to limit or ban license plate readers.
- Flock's business model depends on a large network collecting extensive data, which critics argue can be narrowed.
- Civil liberties groups advocate for new laws rather than company guidelines to regulate surveillance.
- The debate highlights the trade-off between security and civil liberties, with communities increasingly determining how technology is used.