Putting Communities First in Public Safety Innovation
At Flock Safety, we believe that trust is the foundation for progress, especially when it comes to technology that helps protect communities. That’s why we’re taking clear and decisive action in response to recent questions about how license plate reader (LPR) data was accessed and used in Illinois.
We’re committed to transparency, to local control, and to making sure public safety technology serves people—not the other way around. Here’s what happened, what we’re doing about it, and how we’re continuing to earn your trust.
What Prompted This: Clearing Up a Serious Misunderstanding
Earlier this year, a report raised concerns that LPR data from Illinois was misused by an out-of-state law enforcement agency in Texas to track someone seeking reproductive care. According to that sheriff’s office, this was not true.
How We’re Taking Action to Protect Privacy and Public Trust
Last month, we were alerted to the fact that, despite a strong process put in place to ensure compliance, some agencies from outside of Illinois were accessing LPR data from Illinois agencies for unlawful purposes. We took these concerns seriously and launched an internal audit. Once we determined what happened, we quickly began problem-solving.
Removed Access Where Misuse Was Found
- Agencies that said they would follow Illinois law—but then searched for reasons not allowed under that law—had their access removed.
- 47 agencies have been removed from Illinois data access since May 2025.
Re-Education for Out-of-State Agencies
- We’re retraining all out-of-state law enforcement partners on Illinois-specific rules.
- Our training materials, product tips, and in-product messaging now reinforce how to use LPRs responsibly and legally.
We’re not stopping with policy. We’ve built new technology to ensure compliance is proactive, not reactive.
Real-Time Search Blocking (Launched June 2025)
- Our system now blocks any search that appears to violate Illinois law before it happens.
- That means Illinois data is automatically excluded if someone enters an improper search reason.
AI-Powered Monitoring (Coming Late 2025)
- This smart tool will flag unusual searches and notify supervisors immediately.
- Agencies won’t need to sift through logs. It’ll help them stay on top of things in real time.
Case Number Requirement Option
- Agencies will soon be able to require a case number for every search, making audits easier and reducing the chance of misuse.
Educating for the Long Run—Together with Illinois Chiefs
We’re working with the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police to build an educational campaign that:
- Explains how LPRs work
- Promotes ethical and legal use
- Supports transparency with the public
- Provides consistent training across agencies
These tools are most powerful when used with shared values and mutual accountability.
A Call for Clear Standards—Across the Industry
Flock Safety isn’t the only provider of LPR technology. We believe Illinois and every state deserves:
- Clear statewide rules
- Strong audit tools
- Strong privacy protections for residents
That’s why we’re supporting new legislation that ensures everyone plays by the same rules, no matter which vendor they use.
Our Commitment to Illinois
We are proud to serve the communities of Illinois and will continue to do so with transparency and respect. Our promise:
- To build products that reflect your laws and values,
- To stop misuse as soon as we see it
- To innovate only in ways that build trust
Because in public safety, innovation isn’t just about technology. It’s about people. And people deserve tools they can believe in.
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