监控摄像头公司Flock Safety宣布实施一系列新的安全举措，以遏制警务人员对其追踪系统的滥用。该公司将强制所有执法机构客户启用审计功能，并计划在年底前完成推广[1]。此举是在超过50名执法官员被指控或起诉利用Flock系统追踪前任伴侣后的回应[1]。
为了进一步限制滥用风险，Flock Safety缩短了数据保留期限，从原来的30天减至7天，同时允许执法机构限制信息在部门间的共享[1]。该系统每月进行约20亿次牌照扫描[1]。长期以来，该系统也因被用于追踪移民和寻求州外堕胎服务的人群而饱受争议[1]。目前已有超过80个城市放弃或考虑放弃与Flock的合同[1]。
公司首席执行官Garrett Langley表示："这些变化反映了多年的工作和深思熟虑"[1]。此前约三分之一的客户已自愿启用了审计协助功能[1]。
Flock Safety, the surveillance camera company behind a vast network of license plate readers, has announced new mandatory security measures aimed at preventing law enforcement officers from abusing the tracking system.[1] The company will require all client agencies to activate audit functions by the end of the year, a move designed to combat widespread misuse.[1]
The enforcement action follows a series of scandals involving the system. More than 50 police officers have been accused or prosecuted for using Flock's technology to track ex-partners, highlighting a critical vulnerability in how the platform was being deployed.[1] Additionally, the system has faced criticism for being used to track immigrants and individuals seeking out-of-state abortion services.[1] To address these concerns, Flock Safety is reducing data retention periods from 30 days to 7 days and will allow agencies to restrict how information is shared within their organizations.[1]
Currently, the platform processes approximately 2 billion license plate scans monthly.[1] Prior to these changes, only about one-third of clients had voluntarily enabled audit assistance features.[1] The new mandatory requirements come as public scrutiny of the company intensifies—over 80 cities have either abandoned or are considering abandoning their contracts with Flock.[1] CEO Garrett Langley stated that "these changes reflect years of work and careful consideration," framing the measures as a response to documented concerns about system misuse.[1]