Hackers Say Flock Safety Cameras Capture Far More Than License Plates

Security researchers who examined Flock Safety surveillance cameras found that the devices can capture and store far more information than the company has publicly described, according to a report published by Ars Technica.

The report said hackers who gained access to Flock camera systems discovered that the devices are capable of detecting not only vehicles and license plates but also people. One camera examined by researchers had accumulated roughly 1.6 million images, Ars Technica reported.

Flock Safety markets its automated license plate reader cameras to police departments, homeowners associations and private businesses across the United States as a tool for tracking vehicles linked to crimes. The Ars Technica report indicates that the cameras' actual data collection and detection capabilities extend beyond that marketed purpose, based on the findings of the researchers who accessed the devices.

The report did not specify further details about how the researchers obtained access to the cameras or what additional capabilities were identified beyond person detection and the volume of stored imagery. Ars Technica's account is based on the work of the hackers who examined the systems.

Flock Safety's technology has drawn scrutiny in recent years from privacy advocates concerned about the scale of vehicle and location tracking enabled by networks of automated cameras. The company has not been quoted in the excerpt of the report reviewed for this article.

This article is based on a report from Ars Technica; further details from the full investigation, including any response from Flock Safety, may provide additional context.