LAPD Ends Contract with Flock Over Privacy and Civil Rights Concerns
The LAPD has declined to renew its contract with Flock Safety over privacy issues.
Why it matters: Law enforcement agencies are increasingly cautious about adopting surveillance tech that risks privacy and civil rights. This impacts legal compliance and advising practices for both agencies and vendors using automated license plate readers (ALPR).
- LAPD's three-year contract with Flock Safety expired on July 11, 2026, and was not renewed due to privacy and civil liberties concerns.
- Flock Safety operates over 80,000 ALPR cameras across the U.S., used to track vehicles for law enforcement.
- Several cities, including Mountain View, CA, and South Portland, ME, have also ended their contracts with Flock citing similar privacy and data misuse fears.
- Flock Safety has faced criticism for alleged security lapses exposing camera data and unauthorized live footage access.
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) has chosen not to renew its contract with Flock Safety, a surveillance company providing automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras. The contract expired on July 11, 2026, after a three-year term.
LAPD Chief Information Officer Dean Gialamas emphasized that "serious concerns around civil liberties and civil rights issues, particularly around privacy and the data that is being collected from these cameras," motivated the decision not to renew.
Flock Safety's nationwide network includes over 80,000 cameras that scan license plates to assist law enforcement in vehicle tracking. However, these systems have drawn criticism for privacy risks and potential misuse of data, including fears of data sharing with federal immigration authorities.
Other U.S. cities such as Mountain View, California, and South Portland, Maine, have similarly discontinued contracts with Flock Safety, raising concerns over surveillance and data security.
Flock has additionally faced allegations of security breaches where camera data was exposed, allowing unauthorized access to live footage. Holly Beilin, a spokesperson for Flock Safety, expressed optimism about resolving misunderstandings, stating, "We hope to resume our successful partnership with the department soon."
The LAPD's move reflects a growing national trend, as municipalities balance the benefits of surveillance technology with protecting citizens' privacy and civil liberties. This trend also signals increased scrutiny from legal and compliance professionals advising on surveillance contracts and technologies.
By the numbers:
- 80,000+ — Flock Safety's network of ALPR cameras nationwide
- July 11, 2026 — Date LAPD's contract with Flock expired
- Multiple — Number of cities, including Mountain View and South Portland, ending contracts with Flock