LAPD Halts Flock Safety Contract Over Privacy Concerns

The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) has put a stop to its contract with Flock Safety, the operator of certain license plate recognition cameras. This suspension is part of an ongoing disagreement regarding privacy rights and the management of recorded footage.

This update came to light through law enforcement sources. During ongoing contract talks, it seems tensions became apparent, as noted in a report from a recent outlet.

LAPD Chief Information Officer Dean Giaramas emphasized the department’s dedication to ensuring privacy rights are upheld. “Our priority is to protect the constitutional rights and civil liberties of the people we serve. We are seeking to clarify the terms to strengthen data ownership and security,” he stated.

The suspension came after accusations from critics that Flock Safety was sharing data with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to aid in finding undocumented individuals.

However, Giaramas clarified, as reported by ABC 7, that “This use is strictly for law enforcement purposes and is not inherently immigration purposes.”

He further explained that searches of the cameras are restricted to circumstances involving criminal activity, where an active incident is occurring and the user must be registered and trained.

Earlier in February, news surfaced regarding Ring’s decision to cancel plans to partner with Flock Safety following public criticism and increasing pressure from privacy advocates. This partnership, which had initially been announced in October 2025, faced backlash amid worries about immigration enforcement.

Reports indicated that Flock Safety had provided access to its surveillance camera network to ICE and other federal agencies, prompting claims on social media suggesting that Ring was allowing direct access to ICE. Ring disputed these claims, maintaining that the integration never went through, though its collaboration with police departments has raised questions.

In Los Angeles, officers utilize license plate readers to find vehicles that have been reported as stolen or are on wanted lists.

Officials noted that automatic license plate readers have been operational in Los Angeles for over two decades. These devices are commonly used by police departments across U.S. cities with populations exceeding one million, including cities like New York, Chicago, and Houston.

In a related incident, a police sergeant in Pasadena, Texas, resigned amid an investigation for allegedly misusing the department’s Flock Safety System to track a fellow officer.