A growing backlash against Flock Safety's automated license plate reader cameras has fueled a wave of vandalism across the country, with privacy advocates pushing for tighter restrictions on the technology while law enforcement argues the systems are valuable crime-solving tools.
A Guardian review found at least 33 incidents in 23 states in which Flock cameras were damaged, disabled or destroyed in apparent protests against the surveillance devices. Several recent incidents have also been reported by local authorities, including in Texas and Connecticut.
Among those claiming responsibility is a masked Minnesota social media personality known as "NoMark," who told The Guardian he has disabled more than a dozen Flock cameras to protest what he considers government overreach.
"I'm not afraid to do things if I think they're right," he said. "These things are coming up so fast across the country that this is kind of the only way to combat them."
Flock Safety, a Georgia-based company valued at roughly $8.4 billion, says its cameras are deployed in about 6,000 communities nationwide and scan license plates billions of times each month. The company says the technology helps investigators identify vehicles connected to crimes by capturing license plates and vehicle characteristics, while rejecting claims that it enables mass surveillance.
The company has said its automated license plate readers are "not mass surveillance tools" and cannot track individual people. Flock also has published guidance for government customers on responding when cameras are damaged.
Privacy advocates argue the systems collect location data on large numbers of motorists who are not suspected of crimes and have expressed concern that the information could be shared with federal immigration authorities or misused by law enforcement. More than 80 cities have ended or declined to renew contracts with Flock in recent years, according to activists cited by The Guardian.
Several people accused of damaging Flock cameras now face criminal charges.
In Virginia, Jeffrey Sovern has been charged with destruction of property after authorities alleged he damaged more than a dozen cameras. He has not admitted damaging the devices but told police he believes they are unconstitutional.
"I will take the silver lining that this can be a catalyst in a bigger movement to roll back intrusive surveillance," Sovern wrote on a GoFundMe page established to help pay legal expenses.
In New Mexico, Jevon Martinez was arrested after authorities alleged he destroyed 13 Flock cameras.
Asked whether he would continue targeting the devices, Martinez told KRQE: "Absolutely. They are a clear and present threat to public safety."
The issue has also reached Capitol Hill. Earlier this month, a Texas congressman introduced legislation that would require warrants to obtain data collected by Flock cameras, while grassroots organization DeFlock continues to campaign against the technology by mapping camera locations and urging local governments to reject new contracts.
Flock CEO Garrett Langley recently apologized for previously describing DeFlock as "terroristic" and acknowledged the company had provided an "inadequate response to the questions and concerns that people have about ALPR." The company also dropped a planned "human distress detection" feature that would have continuously monitored audio for signs of screaming or other distress.