Key facts
- Flock Safety is implementing new privacy policies.
- Flock Safety is enhancing its license plate reader technology.
- CEO Garrett Langley acknowledged the company was too slow to address police misuse.
- New mandatory features include reduced data retention.
- Data retention is reduced to seven days.
- Stricter audit tools are being implemented.
- An 'Audit Assistance' tool will flag abnormal activity.
Flock Safety, a surveillance technology firm, is implementing new privacy policies and mandatory features in response to criticism regarding law enforcement misuse of its license plate reader technology. CEO Garrett Langley acknowledged that the company was too slow to implement safeguards against such misuse.
Key enhancements include reducing data retention periods to seven days. Additionally, the company is mandating an 'Audit Assistance' tool designed to flag abnormal activity within its system. These measures aim to address concerns about how law enforcement agencies have utilized Flock's technology.
The company's response comes after a period of backlash and scrutiny over instances where police departments may have overstepped the intended use of the license plate readers. The new policies are intended to provide greater oversight and control over data access and usage by law enforcement clients.