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Documents Show Flock Proposed Turning 350,000 Rideshare Dashcams Into Mobile License‑Plate Readers

The newly disclosed presentation would have expanded Flock’s cloud‑linked database by using Uber, Lyft and delivery dashcams and raises fresh privacy and legal questions for lawmakers and cities.

Overview

  • A company presentation obtained by reporters outlines a proposed partnership to outfit about 350,000 rideshare and delivery dashcams with automatic license‑plate reading software so those moving cars could scan plates and send still images to Flock’s cloud database.
  • Flock told reporters the Nexar dashcam deal shown in the slides was never implemented, but the document has intensified public concern because it reveals the company’s plan to scale its network beyond fixed pole cameras.
  • Flock’s system captures still images of vehicles including license plate, make, model, color and visible stickers and stores those location‑stamped records in a searchable cloud roster for roughly 30 days by default.
  • Reporting and audits have documented misreads, improper officer searches and at least dozens of accused misuse cases, prompting city contract pauses or cancellations, camera vandalism, and local and state reviews of rules and access.
  • Lawmakers and local leaders are moving toward limits and oversight, with at least one member of Congress promising legislation and many municipalities negotiating retention, access and audit terms as legal questions about warrants and data sharing remain.