Police departments across the Dallas-Fort Worth area are implementing automated license plate readers developed by Flock Safety to monitor vehicles on public roads. These Flock cameras capture images of license plates and can gather details about a vehicle's make, model, and color, as well as additional features like bike racks or trailers. In Tarrant County, there are at least 648 of these cameras in use.
Flock Safety has stated that the cameras are focused exclusively on vehicles and do not collect information about individuals inside them. They do not employ facial recognition technology and are not meant for speed enforcement or issuing traffic tickets.
Data collected by the cameras is kept for a maximum of 30 days before it is automatically deleted. During this retention period, access is limited to police departments, which determine who has permission to search the database. Each search is recorded and linked to the individual who performed it, ensuring proper oversight.
Additionally, the information is not kept in a public database, allowing police departments to set their own policies regarding data sharing with outside organizations.
As the use of Flock cameras becomes more widespread, Texas drivers should be informed about their capabilities, particularly concerning privacy and data retention practices.
