10+ Local Governments End Flock Safety Camera Contracts Over Privacy Concerns

At least 10 local governments have ended contracts with Flock Safety since summer 2026.

Since summer 2026, at least 10 U.S. local governments have decided to stop using Flock Safety’s automated license plate reader surveillance cameras because of privacy, data sharing, and procurement issues. This trend reflects increasing scrutiny of surveillance technologies and their impact on privacy and governance.

In Plymouth, Minnesota, the city voted unanimously in September 2026 to cancel its Flock Safety contract. When the company failed to respond to cancellation notices, Police Chief Eric Fadden ordered staff to physically unplug the cameras to stop further data collection (Tom's Hardware).

Henrico County, Virginia, ended its contract in October 2026, removing over 120 cameras citing concerns about potential misuse and data security. The company reportedly failed to fulfill contractual requirements to remove the equipment (TechRadar).

Similarly, Arlington County, Virginia, responded to public outcry by deciding in September 2026 to remove all 41 Flock cameras within two weeks (NBC Washington), and Charlottesville ended a one-year pilot program in January 2026 due to concerns about data protection and misuse (The Cavalier Daily).

Wisconsin communities, including Dane County and Oshkosh, have also terminated contracts amidst privacy concerns and alleged misuse, with at least 221 law enforcement agencies statewide having used Flock cameras by mid-2026 (Wisconsin Public Radio).

These decisions come amid reports of unauthorized data access by out-of-state agencies and incidents where Flock cameras were installed without explicit local government approval (Valdosta Source).

Adding to concerns, a hacking group extracted approximately 1.6 million images and 27,321 video clips from a dismantled Flock camera, signifying risks in data security practices (Tom's Hardware).

Local officials emphasize the challenges posed by data misuse. Henrico Board Chair Roscoe Cooper stated, "We cannot ignore the potential for misuse of system data by others." These developments indicate a broader reevaluation of surveillance technologies and underscore the need for transparent, accountable deployment and data governance.

Yes, but: Flock Safety has not publicly responded to the broad wave of contract terminations and privacy criticisms, leaving uncertain how it will address these governance and security failures.

What's next: Expect continued local government reviews of surveillance contracts and increasing pressure for stronger privacy safeguards and procurement oversight in 2027.