Trump says Flock cameras ‘being studied,’ will reveal stance soon
President Donald Trump indicated that the use of Flock cameras, a surveillance technology employing AI-assisted license plate readers, is currently under review, and he plans to disclose his position in the upcoming weeks. Flock cameras, which are installed in over 120,000 locations across 49 states, are designed to track vehicles involved in crimes without scanning faces or individuals. The company shares data across jurisdictions to assist law enforcement, including ICE, in criminal investigations and deportations.
Though, public backlash has grown due to privacy concerns and misuse, such as police officers using the system to stalk ex-partners. In response, Flock’s CEO announced policy changes, including reducing data retention from 30 to 7 days and allowing local agencies to set their own retention policies. Despite controversies, the technology has been used to aid law enforcement efforts, notably by ICE in tracking illegal immigrants. Trump’s review of Flock cameras reflects the ongoing debate over balancing public safety and privacy.
President Donald Trump said the controversial proliferation of Flock cameras was “being studied” and that he would reveal his stance on the matter in the coming weeks.
Flock cameras have become the latest cultural flash point over the past several weeks as fears grow over their use to surveil the public. Trump has been unusually quiet on the subject, and revealed it was under review when asked about it at the Oval Office on Monday.
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“Well, it’s being studied right now,” Trump answered when asked if he’d heard of Flock cameras and what his view on the backlash was. “You know, you have pros and cons, right? It’s being studied right now. We’ll have an answer soon, as to our views on it, in the coming weeks.”
Flock currently has over 120,000 cameras active across 49 states and has struck deals with thousands of municipalities. The cameras use AI-assisted license plate readers to better track cars that have been stolen or used in crimes. They do not scan faces or people.
Data captured from the cameras can be shared across states and police departments, something the company argues plays a key role in tracking and arresting criminals.
However, the cameras have quickly become overwhelmingly unpopular, given their implications for personal privacy. It took a big PR hit after it emerged that several police officers used the database to stalk ex-romantic partners.
FLOCK CEO OUTLINES POLICY CHANGES AFTER UPROAR OVER ‘SURVEILLANCE’ NETWORK
In response to the backlash, Flock Safety CEO Garrett Langley unveiled a series of safety changes last week, including reducing its default data retention period from 30 days to seven. The new policy also allows police departments to set their own data retention policies, which would presumably allow locals to pressure them into being more cautious with the data and limiting its use.
One aspect of Flock cameras that could lead Trump to view them more favorably is their use by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The company bars itself from direct contracts with ICE, but the agency has been able to strike deals with local law enforcement to access the data. This has helped ICE in carrying out deportations, allowing it to track down illegal immigrant drivers.
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