'Get the Flock out': AI license plate cameras face growing backlash

Residents across the United States are pushing back against Flock Safety's AI-powered license plate cameras, citing privacy and misuse concerns, and the issue has reached Georgia's governor's race ahead of the midterms.

A growing number of Americans are pushing back against AI-powered license plate cameras made by Flock Safety, with residents protesting at council meetings and several local governments canceling their contracts.

Founded in 2017 in Atlanta, Flock makes cameras that scan license plates and record details of passing vehicles, including location, time, car model and bumper stickers. The company says the system helps police "uncover patterns, strengthen investigations" across jurisdictions.

A Flock Safety camera in Valdosta, Georgia

Critics point to cases of misuse. In Georgia's Cherokee County, a deputy allegedly searched one plate at least 840 times, and a September Washington Post report found at least 100 police employees across the country charged with or accused of misusing license plate readers. "One of the craziest things about this movement is just how bipartisan it is," said a volunteer with the local DeFlock group.

The issue has entered Georgia's race for governor. Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms said she was "not opposed to a moratorium on Flock cameras," while Republican Rick Johnson said he would not support one. A Flock spokesperson said the company is "committed to setting a baseline for where safeguards and transparency for our industry should be."

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