Flock Safety to recommend shorter license plate reader data retention as states and cities seek new limits

Flock Safety, the company behind automated license plate reader technology used by police agencies nationwide, announced Thursday that it is tightening its recommended privacy and oversight safeguards for the data its systems collect. The update comes as state and local governments across the country have questioned whether license plate reader networks should face tighter rules, and as lawmakers from different political directions have urged additional limits and transparency requirements.

In a statement described by Kentucky Lantern, Flock Safety said it will recommend that police agencies retain license plate reader data for seven days. The company also said it plans to strengthen related controls around access and use of the information, positioning the changes as an effort to improve accountability while continuing to support public safety investigations.

The license plate readers, often mounted on tall poles with cameras and solar power, are designed to capture and match vehicle plate information in real time. Kentucky Lantern reported that Flock Safety’s network operates in more than 6,000 communities across 49 states, partnering with thousands of law enforcement agencies.

The company’s announcement reflects a broader policy push against long-term storage of location and vehicle-identification data. Privacy advocates and some local officials have argued that persistent retention can enable broader tracking beyond the original justification for public safety tools, including concerns about who can access the data and how long it remains available.

At the same time, police departments and supporters of the systems have argued that license plate reader technology can help solve crimes and locate vehicles involved in offenses. In that setting, Flock Safety’s move to recommend a shorter retention window is a practical compromise intended to address oversight demands without ending the tools’ use.

Kentucky Lantern’s report noted that more jurisdictions are pulling back or revisiting their arrangements with companies providing surveillance technology, including through scrutiny of contracts and data-handling policies. In some places, officials have sought new public reporting requirements or statutory restrictions that would limit retention periods and reduce the risk of misuse.

What happens next depends on whether agencies adopt Flock Safety’s recommended retention change in practice. The company’s updated guidance is advisory, and local decisions about policy, contracts, and oversight mechanisms are likely to continue varying across states and cities as lawmakers consider regulatory frameworks for automated license plate readers.

For communities where agencies are using the technology, the short-term impact may be administrative, involving updates to data retention procedures, access policies, and audit or accountability practices. Over the longer term, the company’s response may shape negotiations and enforcement of any future state or local rules regulating license plate reader networks and the scope of permitted data use.