Flock license plate cameras are facing a shift in public opinion, according to a new nationwide survey. For the first time, more Americans say they oppose these police surveillance cameras than support them, marking a notable reversal from a year earlier.
A YouGov survey of 20,000 people across the United States found that 46% of respondents opposed the company’s cameras in their communities, while 38% supported them. That result flips last year’s findings, when a majority of those surveyed said they favored the technology. The survey also reported that more respondents believed the cameras would not make them feel any safer.
Why Flock Cameras Are Under Scrutiny
Flock is among the most visible surveillance companies in the country, operating more than 120,000 license plate readers nationwide. These devices can track the movements of vehicles, logging where cars travel and when.
The company has drawn controversy after reports that some police officers abused access to the cameras’ surveillance capabilities. In response, dozens of U.S. communities have either rejected Flock’s cameras or canceled existing contracts, citing privacy concerns.
How Flock and Critics Are Responding
When contacted, Flock said there is wide support for its technology but acknowledged that “support isn’t unconditional.” The company pointed to the rollout of recent safeguards intended to address concerns about misuse.
Critics remain unconvinced. The ACLU has argued that the new safeguards amount to little and that Flock still poses a major threat to civil liberties. Amid the intensifying backlash, Flock CEO Garrett Langley last week called for a “compromise” between surveillance and privacy, following a rise in vandalism targeting Flock cameras across the country.
The findings suggest the public debate over automated license plate readers has reached a turning point, with opposition now outpacing support in the latest national polling.
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Image: techcrunch.com
