Overview
- Hackers who removed a Flock camera recovered on‑device files that show the system detects people, bicycles and vehicle details beyond plates, raising new security and privacy concerns about what the cameras record.
- Boston ended its Flock pilot after officials found a nationwide data‑lookup feature had been enabled despite a contractual ban and directed the vendor to disable the function.
- Flock has rolled out new defaults and controls, including an internal audit tool, required case codes for searches and a reduced default retention period from 30 days to seven days.
- Local responses are split: some places such as Carrollton renewed or consolidated Flock contracts citing public‑safety uses, while jurisdictions including Arlington and parts of Northern Virginia have paused or ended agreements to review risks.
- Lawmakers and activists are pressing for tighter rules that would limit sharing, require independent audits and pursue warrants for searches, and federal and state officials are moving toward hearings and potential legislation.