The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) is letting its three-year contract with Flock Safety, a company that operates license plate reader cameras around the city, expire.
The LAPD will allow the contract to expire on Saturday due to “unresolved disputes over data ownership, data sharing, and privacy safeguards,” FOX 11 Los Angeles reports.
Watch below:
The Los Angeles Police Department is ending its contract with Flock cameras over civil liberties and civil rights concerns.
Officials have confirmed that these cameras collect data on Americans.
The contract is set to expire and will not be renewed. pic.twitter.com/fJkyLbUT7n
— Shadow of Ezra (@ShadowofEzra) July 11, 2026
FOX 11 Los Angeles has more:
According to department officials, the two entities failed to come to terms on critical issues including data ownership, data sharing, and user privacy.
Specifically, the LAPD is seeking to implement civil penalties against Flock if user data is shared with outside agencies that do not comply with local and state laws, such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
ADVERTISEMENTThe technology uses a network of cameras to log license plates, which the LAPD defends as a powerful tool for criminal investigations. The department maintains that it enforces strict internal policies and regular audits to ensure the network is only used for legitimate law enforcement purposes.
However, the Stop LAPD Spying Coalition, which has previously sued the department over these cameras, views the suspension as proof that pushback against invasive surveillance is working.
It’s unclear how many active Flock cameras will be immediately impacted or turned off due to the contract expiration.
Flock license plate reader cameras have caused controversy in communities across the United States.
For instance, a U.S. Air Force engineer is facing felony charges for allegedly damaging over a dozen Flock cameras in Virginia.
Meanwhile, several Flock cameras in Houston, Texas, have been found damaged.
Multiple Flock Cameras Found Damaged In Texas City, American Flag Planted
In addition, five Georgia police officers were fired and arrested after authorities say they misused the city’s Flock camera license plate reader system.
Multiple Police Officers Fired And Arrested For “Misuse” Of Flock Camera License Plate Reader System
ABC7 Los Angeles shared further:
Police said they are continuing discussions with Flock Safety about revising the agreement. LAPD wants updated language addressing privacy and data storage to be included in any new contract.
ADVERTISEMENTEyewitness News reached out to Flock Safety for a response on LAPD's decision.
"Flock's position has been simple: if this technology is going to be used, it should be used with strong privacy protections, strict auditability, and clear oversight," a statement from Flock said in part. "While this latest development comes as a surprise, we remain committed to continuing our active and ongoing conversations with LAPD to find a path forward. We are proud of our partnership with LAPD and the results it has achieved for the city."
