The Cambridge City Council has decided to suspend its use of Flock Safety cameras following serious concerns regarding the company’s data sharing practices with federal agencies. This decision, made public on March 15, 2024, comes just months after the council had approved the cameras in February 2023 as a tool to assist police in solving crimes.
Flock Safety’s system employs automatic license plate readers to identify vehicles linked to criminal activities. However, Vice Mayor Marc McGovern expressed his alarm over new information that suggests the company may not have adequately protected user data.
“We sort of thought we had a solid contract with Flock, that we would be able to protect the information,” McGovern stated. “We’ve come to learn that it’s not quite as solid as maybe we had thought it was.” His concerns are heightened by reports indicating that the data could be utilized to monitor individuals who have not committed crimes and do not have outstanding warrants.
Community advocates and constituents have voiced their worries to city officials, prompting the council’s reassessment of its earlier stance. “People change their minds all the time when you get new information,” McGovern noted. “Some of us were more comfortable with this in February and none of us are comfortable with it today.”
Governor Maura Healey acknowledged the role of surveillance technology in law enforcement but emphasized the importance of responsible usage. “Cameras are ubiquitous; they are all over the place. They have been used to solve crime and to deter crime,” she remarked. Healey supports the integration of technology into crime investigation and prevention, provided that proper safeguards are in place for data preservation.
McGovern indicated the hope that Cambridge could find a more reliable solution for security monitoring, potentially looking for alternative companies to work with.
In a statement to WBZ News, Flock Safety responded to the council’s decision by saying, “We respect the Cambridge City Council’s decision and will work closely with the City to provide any information or support needed during its review process. Flock Safety partners with communities across the country to help them make informed, transparent decisions about public safety technology that align with their local values and priorities. The allegations about Flock’s relationship with federal agencies are untrue — these questions have been addressed and, in some cases, have led to improvements in our products.”
The suspension of the cameras marks a significant shift in policy for the Cambridge City Council, reflecting a growing emphasis on privacy and data protection in the use of surveillance technology. The council’s decision underscores the ongoing debate surrounding the balance between public safety and individual rights.
