Flock Safety: Mandatory Audit Tool and Shortened Data Retention to Quell Police Abuse Concerns

• Flock Safety has announced platform changes aimed at addressing concerns about data misuse and police abuse of surveillance technology.
• The changes include mandatory implementation of an audit tool to flag abnormal search behavior and a shortened data retention window.
• Critics remain skeptical, arguing that the measures do not address the fundamental problem of police officers deciding who and when to search without proper oversight.
• The Fourth Amendment implications of automated license plate readers are far-reaching, highlighting the need for greater transparency and accountability in their use.

Flock CEO Garrett Langley said many of the product changes will make what were once optional guardrails mandatory for its users to implement by Jan. 1.

Flock Safety's automated license plate readers have been at the center of controversy, with dozens of cities and agencies cutting ties with the company due to concerns about data misuse. Critics argue that the technology can be used for unauthorized surveillance or immigration enforcement, despite its touted benefits in crime-fighting. The backlash has led Flock CEO Garrett Langley to announce platform changes aimed at quelling these concerns.

The changes include mandatory implementation of an audit tool to flag abnormal search behavior, which would lock out users pending internal review. Additionally, the standard data retention window will be shortened from 30 days to seven, with exceptions for evidence tied to a case number. Law enforcement users will also be required to enter a code from their records management system tying each search to a specific case before it is run.

These changes are seen as a response to growing bipartisan anger about police abuse of surveillance technology. However, critics remain skeptical, arguing that the measures do not address the fundamental problem of police officers deciding who and when to search without proper oversight.

The use of automated license plate readers by law enforcement agencies has raised concerns about data retention and surveillance. In the US, there is a growing trend towards regulating these technologies due to their potential for misuse. Flock Safety's changes are seen as an attempt to address some of these concerns, but critics argue that more needs to be done to ensure accountability.

The company's platform allows law enforcement agencies to search and share data across jurisdictions, raising questions about data ownership and control. Flock claims its customers own the data recorded by their cameras, but critics argue that this does not address the issue of police accessing data for unauthorized purposes.

The changes announced by Flock Safety have significant implications for law enforcement agencies and citizens alike. As lawyers and compliance officers, it is essential to understand how these changes may impact existing contracts with Flock Safety and the use of automated license plate readers in general.

The Fourth Amendment implications of these technologies are far-reaching, and the debate surrounding their use highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability. By examining the platform changes announced by Flock Safety, we can gain insight into the complexities of surveillance technology regulation and its impact on individual rights.

Lawyers and compliance officers should watch for the potential impact of these changes on their clients' use of automated license plate readers, particularly in light of growing bipartisan anger about police abuse of this technology. They may need to advise clients on how to implement the new audit tool and data retention window requirements, as well as review existing contracts with Flock Safety to ensure compliance with the updated platform features.

Source: Original reporting via Associated Press