Flock Forward Sparks Backlash Over License-Plate Reader Technology

Advocates against license-plate reader technology rallied outside Atlanta City Hall as Flock Safety hosted its 'Flock Forward' conference. The three-day event, which started on August 18 and runs through August 20, is a gathering of law enforcement leaders, public safety professionals, private-sector security leaders, and invited partners.

The protesters called on the Atlanta Police Department to end its contract with Flock and for Home Depot to terminate its partnership with the company. They alleged that the cameras can be used at Home Depot locations to assist in immigration enforcement, a claim the company denied.

Flock has tightened some of its policies around how the technology is regulated, including storing video on its server for seven days instead of 30 days. However, advocates say these measures don't go far enough and that there's 'no safe mass surveillance network.'