More than 100 cities across the nation have turned off their Flock cameras after outcry from locals

More than 100 cities across the country are rejecting Flock cameras amid growing privacy and safety concerns about the company’s sprawling network of automatic license plate readers. Flock, which offers a system made up of thousands of cameras to immediately recognize license plates, has been mired in controversy over its expansive network which is in every state except Alaska. While the cameras have helped catch criminals, critics say the company’s Big Brother-like practices constitute an invasion of privacy and violate the Fourth Amendment.

There have also been reports of law enforcement officers abusing the system to stalk partners or exes. As a result, many Americans have become wary of Flock — and local leaders across the country are taking action. A database, released Wednesday by the non-profit Institute for Justice, revealed that 105 local governments across the U.S. have canceled or not renewed their automatic license plate recognition contracts since the beginning of 2025.

Cities from coast to coast are on the list. It does not include jurisdictions that paused operations of the Flock cameras or switched to another provider of similar technology. The Independent has contacted Flock Safety for comment.

The city of Tempe, Arizona, announced Wednesday that it turned off its license plate readers and would end its contract with Flock. Even though the system has helped authorities solve crimes, leaders said recent reports of misuse prompted the decision. There has been no misuse reported in Tempe.

We have to be able to provide public safety in a way that maintains the trust of our community.” Cave Creek, north of Phoenix, also announced Wednesday that it had terminated its agreement with Flock, effective immediately. In a statement, the town noted that a key issue was the fact that “any local policy or safeguards could not extend beyond the Town’s jurisdiction, as FLOCK’s networked design allows data to be shared and accessed by external law enforcement agencies.” That made it impossible for the town to ensure “the level of privacy protection sought by Cave Creek officials and the community,” the statement said. Some municipalities, like Stow, Massachusetts, and Nelson, Georgia, canceled their contracts following reports of police misuse of the cameras, according to the database.

However others took action over community concerns. The Grafton and East Bridgewater police departments, both in Massachusetts, announced Friday that they were ending their contracts with Flock following widespread community backlash. The distrust toward Flock has become so rampant that politicians on both sides of the aisle have lodged complaints against the company.