Flock Safety Explored Nationwide Mobile License Plate Scanning Network with Ride-Share Dashcams

Flock Safety, a law enforcement technology provider, explored a partnership with Nexar to integrate dashcams from approximately 350,000 Uber, Lyft, and delivery vehicles into a nationwide license-plate scanning network.

A presentation for the Georgia Attorney General's office detailed the plan to use Nexar's in-vehicle camera systems for mobile license plate recognition. Flock Safety stated this proposed deal was ultimately not executed, but the document showed its ambition to expand surveillance capabilities.

It remains unclear whether the drivers or the ride-sharing and delivery platforms were aware of this proposed initiative.

Flock Safety typically deploys fixed cameras that record license plates, vehicle color, make, and model, creating a searchable database of vehicle movements. The proposed Nexar integration would have allowed for mobile license plate scanning, filling gaps between stationary cameras and enabling real-time tracking across broader geographical areas.

This approach contrasts with existing mobile license plate reader systems used by law enforcement, such as those from Axon, or those employed by repossession agents through Motorola's DRN and Vigilant. Flock Safety's proposal aimed to implement such a system at a civilian scale.

Despite achieving an $8.4 billion valuation in April and deploying stationary cameras in over 5,000 U.S. communities, Flock Safety is encountering increasing scrutiny. The Los Angeles Police Department allowed its contract with Flock to expire in July, citing significant concerns regarding civil liberties and privacy.

Reports have also documented approximately two dozen instances where officers resigned or faced arrest due to alleged misuse of Flock's license-plate system. Legislative and advocacy efforts are challenging the use of automatic license plate readers.

The non-profit advocacy group EPIC urged Congress in May to ban these systems. States are also enacting restrictions, with Washington passing SB 6002 to limit ALPR use, and California considering legislation to restrict data sharing. A proposed House bill would additionally require warrants for government AI surveillance.

Furthermore, the deployment of Flock cameras on federal buildings has faced opposition, with critics arguing potential violations of civil rights. A federal judge has allowed a lawsuit in Norfolk to proceed, alleging that Flock cameras infringe upon Fourth Amendment rights, referencing the Supreme Court's ruling on warrantless tracking in Carpenter v. United States.