Overview
- Reporting published June 22–24 revealed Leonardo’s SignalTrace module can collect Bluetooth, Wi‑Fi and RFID identifiers and match them to ALPR camera captures to link devices with specific vehicles.
- Company materials and press statements say SignalTrace records device identifiers and stores data at a central operations center while not decrypting device content, but they do not confirm broad state purchases of the newest module.
- Investigations and independent databases have already documented officer misuse of ALPR systems, including a Joplin Police Department probe that led to an officer leaving the force after improper searches were reported.
- Privacy groups and security agencies warn the combined data creates large, searchable movement records that are vulnerable to leaks or hacking, and journalists found Flock Safety query fragments were indexed by search engines and aggregated in public tools.
- Defensive responses are emerging—services like DeFlock route drivers around camera networks and HaveIBeenFlocked publishes exposed queries—but there are still no uniform federal limits, warrant rules, or mandatory procurement transparency reported for these upgraded systems.