Flock Safety's proposal to use Uber drivers for license plate scanning faces scrutiny amid legal challenges and public opposition.
Flock Safety Plans License Plate Scanning with Uber Drivers
Flock Safety, known for its controversial law enforcement technologies, has proposed a plan to partner with Nexar to turn approximately 350,000 Uber, Lyft, and delivery vehicles into mobile license plate readers. This initiative aims to enhance surveillance capabilities by using dashcams already installed in these vehicles to capture license plate data in real-time.
Despite the ambitious nature of the proposal, Flock has stated that the collaboration with Nexar was never finalized, leaving questions about whether drivers or the rideshare companies were informed of this initiative. The plan comes at a time when Flock is facing challenges, including the termination of its contract with the LAPD and increasing scrutiny over its practices.
The document outlining the proposal was prepared for the Georgia Attorney General's office and later made public. Flock typically relies on stationary cameras to monitor vehicle movements, a system that has faced significant backlash in various communities. Critics have vandalized or obscured these cameras in protest against perceived invasions of privacy.
In contrast to static installations, the Nexar initiative would allow for broader surveillance coverage, utilizing the cameras on numerous vehicles to monitor license plates across large areas. This concept mirrors existing mobile surveillance systems used by police vehicles, but Flock's vision would expand it to the civilian sector.
Flock's valuation reached $8.4 billion in April, and its cameras are currently deployed in over 5,000 U.S. communities. However, the company has encountered significant challenges, with the LAPD allowing its contract to lapse amid concerns about civil liberties. Additionally, reports have emerged detailing multiple instances of officer misconduct related to Flock's license plate system.
Opposition to Flock's practices is mounting, with advocacy groups like EPIC urging Congress to ban automatic license plate readers. Some states are taking independent actions, such as Washington's SB 6002, which limits the use of Automated License Plate Recognition (ALPR), while California is considering similar restrictions on data sharing. Furthermore, there is growing resistance to the installation of Flock's cameras at federal buildings due to potential civil rights infringements.
Representative Thomas Massie announced plans to introduce legislation that would cut federal funding to municipalities and police departments using Flock's surveillance technology on law-abiding citizens. pic.twitter.com/FGzE69psxS
Legally, Flock is also facing challenges, as a federal judge has allowed a lawsuit from Norfolk to proceed, alleging that the company's camera systems violate the Fourth Amendment rights, referencing the Supreme Court's decision in Carpenter v. United States concerning warrantless tracking.
