Flock cameras face US backlash over privacy fears

Flock, a surveillance start-up, has installed more than 100,000 license plate reader cameras across the United States, drawing a growing privacy backlash that includes online organizing, local campaigns and vandalism of the equipment.

The cameras are used by police departments, homeowners' associations and businesses. They do not record video, but take still images of vehicles and capture details including make, model, color, license plate data and distinguishing features such as bumper stickers. The data is uploaded to Flock's cloud, stored for up to a month and can be shared with subscribers.

A 20-year-old activist known as Nomark told AFP he had disabled about 30 cameras near Minneapolis and shares instructions with his Instagram followers. The Facebook group DeFlock America has more than 600,000 members.

Police officials say the system helps solve vehicle-linked crimes. Jon Bridges, a police official in Richmond, Virginia, said his department used Flock data in a May domestic-related double homicide investigation that led to a suspect's arrest in a neighboring county.

Critics say the database can allow warrantless tracking and possible abuses. The Washington Post reported that at least 50 police officers have been accused of misusing Flock, mostly to monitor romantic partners or former partners.

The American Civil Liberties Union says more than 70 municipalities have ended their association with Flock in recent months. Chad Marlow, senior policy counsel for the ACLU, described opposition to Flock as an "incredible grassroots movement."