Flock Safety, a surveillance technology company, has announced changes to its license plate reader network amid growing backlash from lawmakers, civil liberties advocates, and citizens across the U.S.

Changes to the Platform

The company operates a vast nationwide network of automated cameras that record the license plate numbers and other characteristics of all passing vehicles every day. Thousands of law enforcement agencies in 49 states can search and share Flock’s data across jurisdictions to aid their investigations.

However, critics have raised concerns that the technology amounts to unconstitutional warrantless mass surveillance. To address these concerns, Flock has announced several changes to its platform, including making what were once optional guardrails mandatory for its users to implement by Jan. 1.

These changes include requiring all law enforcement customers to implement an audit tool that flags abnormal search behavior, shortening the standard data retention window from 30 days to seven, and allowing data to be preserved for longer when it is evidence tied to a case number.

Reaction to the Changes

Critics of the company have reacted skeptically to the changes, saying they do not go far enough to address the fundamental problem of police officers deciding who and when to search without judicial oversight.

Supporters of the technology argue that it is a valuable tool for law enforcement, helping to locate missing people and track suspects in violent crimes. However, they also acknowledge that there is a need for balance between the effectiveness of the technology and the community’s interest in privacy.

Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.