Flock lawsuits test legal limits of license-plate reader networks
AXON•Lawsuits against Flock Safety and other license-plate reader companies allege that their camera networks enable unlawful surveillance. The suits are in early stages, with plaintiffs pursuing constitutional, privacy-law and product-liability claims.
1. Lawsuits challenge surveillance
Plaintiffs have filed proposed class actions against privately held Flock Safety in Georgia, California and Colorado, alleging privacy violations and product defects. A federal judge recently consolidated two Georgia cases. Axon Enterprise and Motorola Solutions also face proposed class actions.
2. Data and alleged abuses
Flock operates about 120,000 cameras across 49 states and says its technology helps police investigate crimes and find missing people. Plaintiffs say the cameras generate 20 billion scans a month and allow law enforcement to track motorists without warrants. They also allege officers used the system to search license plates hundreds or thousands of times for personal reasons.
3. Courts weigh legal claims
The lawsuits are in their early stages, and courts have reached differing conclusions about license-plate reader use. A federal judge in Oklahoma recently ruled that a deputy’s warrantless use of Flock’s system was unconstitutional and excluded evidence. An appeal concerning Norfolk, Virginia’s use of the technology is tentatively scheduled for oral argument in January.
