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MIT Technology Review·

🚨Flock Updates Platform to Curb Illicit Use

Flock's new rules won't stop all misuse

TL;DR

Flock updates its platform to prevent illegal searches by police. However, critics argue these measures fall short of addressing broader privacy concerns.

Flock, a major player in police technology, has announced changes to its platform aimed at preventing officers from using it for illicit purposes. The new rules include software that flags suspicious activity and mandates the use of criminal case numbers for searches. Despite these updates, critics argue they do not address broader privacy issues raised by civil liberties groups. Some cities are canceling contracts with Flock over concerns about mass surveillance.

Flock Updates Platform to Curb Illicit Use — MIT Technology Review

Key Points

1

Flock's updates include software that flags abnormal searches and requires case numbers, aiming to curb misuse.

2

Some cities have canceled Flock contracts while others push laws to limit or ban license plate readers entirely.

3

Civil liberties groups argue Flock's technology could be designed more narrowly for specific crime-solving purposes.

4

Flock collects extensive data from nationwide cameras, offering police departments a modernized way to analyze it.

5

The company has been valued at $8 billion and operates across the U.S., allowing cross-state data searches.

Why It Matters

If you're in a city using Flock's license plate readers, your local government is likely grappling with privacy concerns. Critics argue that while Flock's updates aim to prevent misuse, they don't address broader issues of mass surveillance and data retention.

police techlicense plate readerscivil libertiesdata privacy

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does this matter?

If you're in a city using Flock's license plate readers, your local government is likely grappling with privacy concerns. Critics argue that while Flock's updates aim to prevent misuse, they don't address broader issues of mass surveillance and data retention.

What happened?

Flock updates its platform to prevent illegal searches by police. However, critics argue these measures fall short of addressing broader privacy concerns.

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