Alameda County extends Flock contract for 18 months despite privacy concerns

The Alameda County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved an 18-month contract extension with surveillance infrastructure company Flock Safety for the use of law enforcement technology, including automated license plate reader cameras, in the county’s unincorporated communities.

Police departments use ALPR cameras to investigate crimes like stolen vehicles. However, privacy watchdogs have raised concerns about federal agencies being able to access the camera data — a potential violation of state law  —  and using it for targeted surveillance of immigrants and other vulnerable groups.