Why it Matters

Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) launched an investigation into Flock Safety’s national surveillance network over concerns about data privacy and misuse, questioning the company’s collection, retention and dissemination of data. Flock operates more than 120,000 cameras across 49 states, according to Hawley, who has raised concerns about the scope of location data collected and shared through the network. Flock operates more than 120,000 automatic license plate readers across 49 states, according to Hawley, who has raised concerns about the scope of location data collected and shared through the network. The company says customers control access to their data, searches are auditable and safeguards are designed to identify potential misuse.

The Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism has scheduled a Sept. 23 hearing, “Always Watching: Flock’s Nationwide AI Surveillance Network,” under Chair Hawley and Ranking Member Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL).

Broader Context

Hawley launched his investigation into Flock Safety’s national surveillance network over concerns about data privacy and misuse, requesting documents and information specified in an attached annex by Sept. 8. Hawley said his investigation would examine how Flock collects, retains and disseminates data generated by its cameras.

Flock reduced its recommended default data-retention period from 30 days to seven days and announced additional controls intended to prevent abuse.

Flock has reduced its recommended default data-retention period from 30 days to seven days and announced additional controls intended to prevent abuse. The company says its Audit Assistance tool detects abnormal activity and flags it for administrator review, and that it is implementing proactive lockouts that can automatically suspend access when activity meets defined criteria for abnormal behavior.

Existing customers can retain their previously approved retention periods, while the seven-day default applies to new law enforcement customers. According to WIRED, Flock’s Audit Assistance tool, which scans an agency’s searches for suspicious patterns, became available in April as an option departments could enable. Flock has since said Audit Assistance will become mandatory for law enforcement customers by the end of the year.

The Bottom Line

The hearing will examine Flock’s nationwide AI surveillance network amid questions about the collection and sharing of location data, access to information across law enforcement agencies and safeguards intended to prevent misuse. Flock says customers control their data, every search is auditable and its recommended default retention period is now seven days. Flock says customers control their data, every search is auditable and its default retention period is now seven days.

The scrutiny extends beyond Flock. Hawley expanded his investigation in September to Motorola Solutions, Verkada and Axon Enterprise, seeking information about their collection, retention and dissemination of data generated by AI surveillance cameras.

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