Flock Safety Proposed 350,000 Uber Drivers as License-Plate Scanners

Flock Safety aimed to convert Uber, Lyft, and delivery vehicles into a mobile license-plate reading fleet. A presentation for the Georgia Attorney General outlined a plan to utilize Nexar dashcams, which are already installed in hundreds of thousands of vehicles, to scan license plates of passing cars. Flock stated it never initiated the Nexar deal, but the document reveals its expansive ambitions. Flock's typical product is a stationary camera that logs vehicle details, creating a searchable map of traffic patterns. These cameras have faced significant backlash in communities, with instances of vandalism and protests against their presence. The proposed Nexar initiative would have allowed 350,000 vehicles to act as mobile cameras, enhancing coverage and real-time tracking across regions. Similar systems exist for police vehicles, but Flock's approach aimed for civilian implementation. Flock reached an $8.4 billion valuation in April and its cameras are deployed in over 5,000 U.S. communities. However, the company faces challenges; the LAPD recently let its contract expire due to concerns over civil liberties. Reports indicate multiple cases of police misconduct involving Flock's system. Advocacy group EPIC has called for a ban on automatic license-plate readers, while states like Washington and California are enacting restrictions on their use. Additionally, Flock's camera deployment on Federal buildings has sparked civil rights concerns. A federal judge has allowed a lawsuit against Flock to proceed, citing potential Fourth Amendment violations.