Source: CNET
Summary
CNET reported that some cities are canceling their contracts with Flock, a company that provides automated license plate reader (ALPR) technology, due to its ties with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Other cities are taking steps to limit the company’s access to their data. Flock’s technology is used to track and monitor vehicles.
Our Reading
The announcement sounds ambitious.
Flock’s ALPR tech is being dropped by some cities over ICE links. Others are reining in the company’s data access. Cities are rethinking their contracts with Flock. Flock’s tech is used to track vehicles. It’s a familiar story: tech for public safety, with a side of surveillance.
Author: Evan Null
Cities Take a Closer Look at Flock’s Ties to ICE
The news comes as cities are increasingly scrutinizing their contracts with companies that have ties to ICE. Flock’s ALPR technology is used to track and monitor vehicles, but some cities are concerned about the company’s data-sharing practices.
What’s Next for Flock?
It’s unclear what the future holds for Flock, but one thing is certain: the company’s ties to ICE have sparked a national conversation about the use of surveillance technology in law enforcement.
The Surveillance State
Flock’s ALPR tech is just one example of the many surveillance tools being used by law enforcement agencies across the country. As cities take a closer look at their contracts with companies like Flock, they’re also rethinking their approach to public safety and surveillance.
A Familiar Script
The controversy surrounding Flock’s ties to ICE is just the latest example of a familiar script: tech for public safety, with a side of surveillance. It’s a story that’s played out time and time again, with companies promising to keep us safe, while also collecting and sharing our data.
The Bottom Line
As cities navigate the complex world of surveillance technology, one thing is clear: the public deserves transparency and accountability. It’s time for companies like Flock to come clean about their data-sharing practices and for cities to take a closer look at their contracts.
