Flock Mandates Case Numbers for Police Searches After Stalking Scandals and Contract Losses

Flock mandates case numbers across its 120,000 license plate reading network. A Washington Post investigation uncovered 46 cases of officers using Flock's camera network for unauthorized stalking. The police-tech vendor now forces officers to enter a criminal case number before searching its system. At least 30 cities already dropped the license plate reader contracts Flock depended on. Flock also mandated automated search audits and recommended lowering data retention from 30 days down to 7 days. "Our change in stance is more of one from building things that are optional to building more confidence that as a technology company we have a responsibility to enforce guardrails." — Garrett Langley Forcing officers to type an unverified case number won't curb surveillance abuse when system safeguards rely on self-reporting.