Boston terminates Flock Safety camera contract over data sharing violation
Boston has terminated its contract with Flock Safety and removed the company's cameras, citing a violation of contract terms. City officials stated the company shared data nationwide without authorization.
The city of Boston has ended its contract with camera provider Flock Safety and removed the company's automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras. City officials cited a violation of contract terms, as the company shared data nationwide in contravention of the agreement.
"We have actually abandoned Flock," Boston Mayor Michelle Wu stated last week during a local media segment. Wu's comments preceded the release of Boston's annual surveillance technology report, which detailed how a Flock "vendor error" led to the unauthorized nationwide data sharing.
The report, covering 2025, indicated that the Boston Police Department had deployed approximately 45 Flock ALPR cameras during a pilot program from April to September of the previous year. According to the report, the unauthorized data sharing occurred within the first few days of the pilot's commencement.
Boston's decision to sever ties with Flock Safety raises concerns about data privacy and oversight in the deployment of surveillance technology. While ALPR systems can aid law enforcement, their implementation necessitates stringent data protection protocols to prevent misuse.