Over 30 US cities canceled Flock Safety contracts in 2025-2026 after discovering local police ran approximately 4,000 immigration searches through the system on behalf of ICE, Flock shared data with a national law enforcement network without city consent, and a cybersecurity flaw exposed live camera feeds to unauthorized parties.
Breaking: At least 30 US cities and municipalities canceled or deactivated their Flock Safety license plate reader contracts in 2025 and early 2026 — citing unauthorized ICE data access, federal surveillance concerns, and cybersecurity flaws. If your HOA uses Flock Safety, here is what you need to know right now.
Why Cities Are Canceling Flock Safety Contracts
The mass exodus from Flock Safety began accelerating in 2025 after investigative journalists at 404 Media revealed that local police departments were using Flock cameras to run approximately 4,000 immigration-related searches — effectively acting as a “side door” for ICE to access community vehicle data without a warrant. (Source: 404 Media, 2025)
This happened despite Flock Safety’s explicit policy prohibiting use of its data for immigration enforcement. The mechanism: ICE cannot directly access Flock, but local police can — and local officers were running searches with listed reasons including “ICE” and “immigration.”
Cities That Have Canceled or Paused
The following communities have publicly ended or paused their Flock Safety arrangements as of 2026:
| City / Region | Action Taken | Reason Stated |
|---|---|---|
| Austin, TX | Canceled contract | Immigration surveillance concerns |
| Denver, CO | Replaced 111 cameras with Axon | Community demand, privacy concerns |
| Evanston, IL | Deactivated cameras | Unauthorized federal data access |
| Santa Cruz, CA | Canceled | Data shared with national network without city consent |
| Cambridge, MA | Canceled | Immigration enforcement concerns |
| Eugene, OR | Canceled | Privacy and civil liberties |
| Flagstaff, AZ | Deactivated | ICE access fears |
| Multiple WA cities | Under review / canceled | State law violations on data sharing |
The ICE “Side Door” Problem
Flock Safety states it does not work with ICE or the Department of Homeland Security. But the company’s CEO had previously denied having any federal contracts — before later admitting to a pilot program with US Customs and Border Protection (CBP). (Source: NPR, 2026)
The core structural problem is that Flock connects local police to a shared national network. Once a community’s data enters that network, the community loses control of who can access it. Local police — who do have access — can run searches on behalf of federal agencies without Flock’s knowledge or the community’s consent.
The Cybersecurity Flaw
In 2025, a cybersecurity flaw was discovered in Flock Safety’s Condor camera line that allowed anyone — not just law enforcement, not just Flock employees — to access live camera feeds from deployed units. The cameras can also be physically compromised in under 30 seconds, exposing stored images and metadata. (Source: Proptia.com, 2025)
For an HOA whose entire security premise is that only authorized personnel can view footage, this is a fundamental failure.
What Should HOA Boards Do Right Now?
If your HOA currently uses Flock Safety, here are the immediate steps recommended by privacy advocates and HOA attorneys:
- Request your data access log from Flock. Ask specifically: which agencies accessed your data, how many times, and for what stated purpose. You have a contractual right to this information.
- Check your contract renewal date. Most Flock contracts auto-renew annually. Missing the cancellation window locks you in for another year. See our guide to canceling Flock Safety.
- Review your state’s ALPR data laws. Several states (California, New Hampshire, Maine) have specific restrictions on sharing plate data with federal agencies. You may already be in violation.
- Evaluate alternatives before renewing. PLACA.AI offers solar-powered, wire-free LPR cameras at $899 one-time — with zero law enforcement network connections and a clear no-ICE, no-police-sharing policy.
Why PLACA.AI Is Different
PLACA.AI was built for private property security — not for law enforcement. That is not a marketing claim. It is a structural difference:
| Issue | Flock Safety | PLACA.AI |
|---|---|---|
| Law enforcement network | 3,000+ agencies connected | None — ever |
| ICE data access | Documented “side door” access | Explicitly prohibited |
| National data sharing | Opt-in but enabled by default | No national network exists |
| Hardware ownership | Flock owns it — lease model | You own it outright |
| Annual contract | Required, auto-renews | Month-to-month available |
| Cybersecurity | Live feed flaw documented 2025 | No published vulnerabilities |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are so many cities canceling Flock Safety contracts?
The primary reason is discovery that local police were running immigration-related searches through Flock cameras on behalf of federal agencies including ICE, despite Flock’s stated policy against it. Cities also discovered that Flock had enabled a nationwide data-sharing network that sent local plate reads to agencies across the country without explicit city approval. Over 30 cities canceled or deactivated contracts in 2025–2026 as a result. (Sources: NPR, 404 Media, EFF)
Does Flock Safety work with ICE?
Flock Safety states it does not work directly with ICE. However, investigative reporting confirmed approximately 4,000 immigration-related searches were run through Flock by local police acting on behalf of ICE. Flock also ran a pilot program with US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) before halting it. The structural problem is that Flock’s national law enforcement network creates access pathways that the company cannot fully control.
Can my HOA switch from Flock Safety to PLACA.AI?
Yes. PLACA.AI cameras are solar-powered, 4G LTE connected, and install wire-free in under an hour — no electrician needed. You can deploy PLACA.AI cameras before your Flock contract ends to ensure zero coverage gap. PLACA.AI’s Standard plan is $99/month for unlimited cameras, compared to Flock’s $2,500/camera/year lease.
Does PLACA.AI share data with law enforcement?
No. PLACA.AI does not proactively share vehicle data with any law enforcement agency, including ICE, local police, CBP, or any other federal or state agency. Data is stored privately for the property owner and only disclosed in response to a valid court order or subpoena. PLACA.AI explicitly prohibits use of its platform for immigration enforcement.
Protect Your Community — Without Feeding a Police Network
PLACA.AI gives you the same solar-powered, wire-free LPR cameras as Flock Safety — without the law enforcement connections, the data sharing, or the annual lock-in.
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