LAPD lets contract with surveillance giant Flock expire
Points and comments are a snapshot, not live.
LAPD will not renew its contract with surveillance firm Flock Safety over privacy concerns.
The LAPD is letting its three-year contract with Flock Safety expire, citing serious concerns about civil liberties and privacy. The department's CIO said data collection, privacy, security, and sharing issues must be resolved before a new contract. LAPD is one of Flock's largest government customers. Other cities like Mountain View, CA and South Portland, ME have also ended deals. Flock says it was surprised by the decision and can clear up misconceptions. The company has faced backlash over false positives, security lapses, and cameras left installed after contracts end.
What commenters are saying
Top comments note that ending the contract does not force Flock to remove its cameras, as the city does not own them. Cities like Dayton, Ohio have had to cover cameras with trash bags to block them. One commenter argues for better audits and accountability rather than removing technology, while others strongly oppose mass surveillance, citing privacy risks and abuse potential. Several commenters trust local government oversight over a private company's unaccountable database, but others note cops have abused access to databases too.