Elgin Community College attempted to remove six Flock Safety license-plate-recognition cameras installed in April 2025 for student security but was refused by the company after raising concerns about data sharing with Customs and Border Patrol, inadequate camera-feed security, and abuse of access by law enforcement and company employees. Flock cited contractual obligations, refusing to honor the removal request, highlighting growing tensions between educational institutions and private surveillance vendors over privacy and data governance.
Background
Flock Safety is a prominent private surveillance company using AI-powered license plate recognition and camera networks deployed across thousands of US communities, often in partnership with local law enforcement. The company's expansion has drawn scrutiny over data privacy, civil liberties, and accountability in public safety contexts.
- Source
- The Verge
- Published
- Oct 12, 2026 at 04:06 AM
- Score
- 6.0 / 10