Flock's 120,000 AI license plate cameras face backlash

Amazon-owned Ring pulled out of its Flock Safety partnership earlier in 2026 after online backlash.

Flock operates more than 120,000 AI license plate readers across the United States. The cameras identify vehicles by plate number, make, model and color, and they are networked to track movements throughout the day and across the country.

Dozens of communities have canceled or shut off the cameras, including Los Angeles, as officials push for limits on data collection, access and future use.

The Los Angeles Police Department has suspended its use of Flock license plate readers for now.

Flock said it is “pausing further exploration of a potential partnership with Ring.” Its chief executive said, “We got this one wrong.”

Dozens of Flock AI camera feeds were exposed online, and unprotected license plate surveillance cameras let anyone with a web browser tune in.

AI annotators overseas may be reviewing Flock license plate camera footage from the US.