Cambridge Suspends Flock Safety Cameras Over Data Sharing Concerns Amid National Privacy Debate

Multiple cities including Kent, Auburn, Renton, and Cambridge have taken steps to restrict or suspend the use of Flock Safety's automatic license plate reader cameras due to concerns over data sharing with federal agencies, particularly U.S. Border Patrol and immigration enforcement. A University of Washington report revealed that several Washington state police departments had enabled direct data sharing with Border Patrol, prompting Kent Police to disable national sharing to protect residents' data from federal immigration enforcement. In Cambridge, after initially approving the cameras, the City Council unanimously voted to pause their use amid public outcry and evidence suggesting that Flock Safety shares license plate data in a national database accessible to thousands of law enforcement agencies, raising fears of misuse in immigration crackdowns and other sensitive areas. Advocates and residents voiced privacy concerns, highlighting instances where the technology had been used controversially, such as tracking a woman allegedly self-administering an abortion in Texas. Flock Safety has stated it will cooperate with investigations and reviews but faces criticism for its data-sharing practices. Meanwhile, officials emphasize the need for surveillance technology with robust safeguards and transparency to balance crime deterrence with civil liberties protection.