Flock was dropped by the Los Angeles Police Department on Saturday after a three year contract was allowed to expire without renewal. But the video surveillance company, which works with police to monitor cities across the U.S., tells Gizmodo that while it was surprised by the decision, it hopes to resume work with the LAPD again soon. “We are confident that through ongoing discussions with LAPD, we can clear up the current misconceptions that led to Friday’s disappointing pause. We hope to resume our successful partnership with the department soon,” the company said in an emailed statement Monday. Flock has been criticized for enabling mass surveillance, especially with the use of its license plate readers, which allow police departments to see where vehicles are located across a wide geographical area. But the company insists that it respects privacy.
“Flock has been working with LAPD to ensure that any continued use of our technology included strong privacy protections, strict auditability, clear accountability, and appropriate limits around data access,” the company wrote. The company notes that LAPD has used license plate reader technology “for years and continues to rely on it today.” The Los Angeles Times reports that Flock has 138 pole-mounted cameras in L.A. and that LAPD continues work with other vendors for license plate readers.
