Reporting, court cases, Washington law and local decisions involving Flock Safety and automated license plate readers.
A joint 404 Media and WIRED investigation analyzed software and files recovered from a Flock camera. The reporting found that the camera software explicitly detects people, vehicles, license plates and bicycles; the device also stores short video clips and rapid bursts of still images generated as objects move through its field of view.
The Sedro-Woolley City Council voted unanimously on Sept. 23 to end use of its Flock cameras. Police Chief Dan McIlraith cited the volume of public-records requirements, new state regulation and a shrinking regional Flock network. Local reporting also notes that Mount Vernon had already turned its cameras off in June.
Plaintiffs challenged Norfolk’s widespread ALPR deployment. The district court granted summary judgment to Norfolk in January 2026. The Fourth Amendment challenge is now on appeal in the Fourth Circuit.
A proposed class action was filed in the Northern District of Georgia against Flock Group. The complaint alleges misuse of location information for personal surveillance and stalking. These are allegations, not adjudicated facts.
Washington enacted new limits including a general 21-day retention ceiling, prohibited-location rules covering schools and other protected places, sharing restrictions, registration/certification requirements and audit/reporting obligations.
Axios reported bipartisan Virginia legislators planning legislation that could ban automated license plate readers statewide while several local jurisdictions reconsider contracts.
Reuters reported that Florida barred new Flock highway installations as of Sept. 3 and Texas suspended state funding for the technology on Aug. 28, illustrating that the debate has moved from privacy criticism into concrete state policy.
Renton Council voted to physically cover cameras while its policy dispute continued.
KUOW reported Washington agencies pausing ALPR use while working through SB 6002 restrictions.
Lynnwood ended its Flock agreement after local debate over privacy, access and public trust.