The License Plate Scandal Flock says its cameras track cars, not people
The License Plate Scandal Flock says its cameras track cars, not people.
But police abuse cases suggest the opposite.
In Illinois, a police chief was arrested after prosecutors said he used Flock and police databases to track people he personally knew, including women he had allegedly dated and a romantic rival whose plate was searched 140 times.
And it was not the only case. Other officers have reportedly used license plate readers to track wives, ex-girlfriends, partners, and rivals.
So let’s be honest: when police search a plate to find an ex, they are not tracking a car.
They are tracking a person.
License plate readers can help solve crimes, but that power needs limits.
GPS tracking needs a warrant.
Phone location data needs a warrant.
Flock searches should too.
No warrant, no search.