OPINION — Flock cameras are spreading across Arizona. The backlash is growing just as fast.
What are Flock cameras? Local governments enter into contracts with private companies to attach the cameras to phone poles. They track the make, model, color, license plate number, and other details of each vehicle that passes by, then upload the information to a nationwide database. About 40% of police departments across the country can now access the database. They can use it to prevent or solve crimes and to rescue victims.
But some residents worry about their privacy, and whether the cameras will be misused. There have already been isolated reports of abuse, such as police officers using them to stalk romantic targets.
