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Flock, a $7.5 billion surveillance giant led by CEO Garrett Langley, has quietly funneled public money into AI-powered license plate readers, live video, and 911 drones in 5,000+ communities across 49 states, claiming he can end crime in America.

But growing numbers of municipalities are now pulling the plug, citing secrecy, cost, and civil liberties violations.

Sold Without Consent

Flock’s aggressive expansion has been fueled by local government contracts, many approved behind closed doors, with no public debate. Critics allege the company misled law enforcement and pushed deals through quietly.

In Sedona, AZ, for example, the city council unanimously canceled its contract after residents demanded transparency. Mayor Scott Jablow publicly accused Flock of lying to the police. “I now have very serious concerns,” he said.

Sedona isn’t alone. In Lucas County, OH, Flock’s deal was buried in a consent agenda, hiding it from public review. The community voted to rescind the contract but that was voided by the county prosecutor. In Scarsdale, NY, the contract wasn’t even on the meeting agenda. Residents said “there was zero transparency.”

Flock Data Doesn’t Stay Local

Flock promotes its cameras as crime-solving tools, but reporting by 404 Media revealed the nationwide camera network has aided ICE and abortion-related investigations.

Departments can opt in to a national license plate database, letting them track vehicles across jurisdictions. This creates a massive, unregulated surveillance web for any paying customer of the service. 

The fact that these Flock systems are expensive and can plug into a national dragnet convinced residents of Evanston, IL, to overturn the Flock contract in their community.

Flock contracts can be almost $200,000 per year, funded by public dollars. In Oak Park, IL, residents shut down surveillance because of the oversight and cost concerns.

The Flock Playbook

Flock follows a now-familiar rapid expansion model, backroom deals, to avoid public backlash. Similar concerns sank Amazon Ring’s police partnerships, triggered lawsuits against Clearview AI, and showed ShotSpotter gunshot detection system was a costly failure.

In reality Flock’s tech is surveillance-as-a-service, automated, real-time and with very serious accountability issues.

Groups like the ACLU and EFF warn Flock’s technology can stifle political protests, enable over-policing, and harm marginalized communities, especially considering the lack of public oversight.

Momentum Against the Machines

So far, Sedona, Lucas County, Scarsdale, Evanston, and Oak Park have all rejected Flock following public outcry. In each case, communities demanded transparency and accountability, and in many cases, won

As Flock and other surveillance tech is covertly sold to city councils and police departments, who decides if your community is being watched, how it’s done, and how much public money pays for it?

AI in Video Surveillance: Trends and Challenges in 2025

From Tech Electronics: “In 2025, artificial intelligence is no longer a novelty or passing curiosity in video surveillance — it’s shaping the conversation at the cutting edge of the industry. From real-time threat detection to operational insights and automated alerts, AI-powered analytics have become integral to the surveillance stack of the future. But as adoption accelerates, the market is also beginning to grapple more seriously with questions around accuracy, accountability, and privacy. For integrators, end-users, and technology providers alike, 2025 marks a pivotal moment: the convergence of high-performance AI and heightened scrutiny.”

Police Cameras Tracked One Driver 526 Times In Four Months, Lawsuit Says

The author writes, “Lee Schmidt, a retired veteran, wanted to know more about the license plate cameras tracking him in Norfolk, Virginia, where he lives. So he sued with a co-plaintiff and a legal nonprofit and got an answer: 176 cameras across the city logged his location 526 times between Feb. 19 and July 2, according to a Monday court filing. That’s about four times per day.”

Security Camera Laws, Rights, and Rules 2025

From SafeWise: “There’s no specific federal law governing when, where, and how to use security cameras. But that doesn’t mean it’s a free-for-all. There are some national laws around privacy and consent that you need to consider. Plus, many cities, counties, and states have their own regulations. In this guide, we’ll break down your rights and the laws to know to stay out of trouble when it comes to installing and using a security camera.”

What Americans Think About Privacy and US Government Surveillance in 2025

The author writes, “A new YouGov survey explores how Americans feel about the U.S. government’s surveillance of people both within the country and abroad. Majorities of Republicans say it’s acceptable for the U.S. government to keep tabs on the online activity of politicians, journalists, international students, and government workers, among other groups. Fewer Democrats agree. The survey also found that most Americans are concerned that the U.S. government could use surveillance powers to target political opponents or suppress dissent.”

Are Security Cameras Legal?

The author writes, “DIY is the future of home security, but before making your home into the Big Brother house, take some time to check out the legal implications.”

From 2020: You Can Fight Government Surveillance

From the ACLU: “In more than a dozen cities and counties, communities have passed laws ensuring that decisions about high-tech surveillance are made by the community through the democratic process, not in secret by police and surveillance companies acting alone.”