Policy Pulse: The Work Already Underway

It is one thing to name the challenge of 50 state compliance. It is another to demonstrate, week by week, how Flock takes that challenge seriously. Already, changes have been made, designed to uphold both the letter of the law and the trust of the communities we serve.

Keyword Filters

We have introduced keyword filters that stand guard against LPR-related searches prohibited by law. Too often, compliance is treated as paperwork, as after-the-fact audits. But these filters are different. They are active, alive in the system, blocking attempts to search for terms related to civil immigration or reproductive healthcare where state law forbids it. If a prohibited search is made, the filter does not waver. And it’s actively working today.

Federal Organization Designation

Communities often don’t understand the blurred line between local policing and federal task forces to solve some of society's most heinous crimes like human trafficking, and collaboration can be imperative to saving a life. However, some state laws restrict these relationships, and we want local agencies to be clear before accepting any request. Therefore, we created a federal organization designation, ensuring transparency when federal agencies request access to LPR footage from state or local partners. Now, the Flock system will label every request with its federal origin. Local officials, accountable to their own laws and citizens, will know exactly who is asking and why. And with that knowledge comes the power to decide in accordance with policy, law, and community values.

Limitations on Federal Access

Finally, we have imposed strict limitations on federal access itself. Federal agencies cannot reach into Virginia or California data, no matter where they are based. Nor can they access Statewide or National Lookups. These restrictions are not designed to handicap law enforcement, but to honor the sovereignty of states and the will of their people.

Each of these steps points to a larger principle: compliance is not an obstacle to safety, but its foundation. By building these protections directly into the system, we make it easier for law enforcement to pursue justice without straying from the bounds of law. Stay tuned for our next round of safety and compliance updates.

To read the first article in our Policy Pulse series, click HERE.