Survey: More Americans oppose police license plate cameras than support them
A new YouGov survey shows more Americans now oppose surveillance company Flock's license plate cameras than support them, a reversal from last year's findings. The company faces growing criticism over police misuse of the technology.
Public opposition to license plate reading cameras used by U.S. police departments appears to be growing, according to a new survey. A YouGov poll of 20,000 people across the United States, shared exclusively with The Washington Post, found that 46% of respondents opposed surveillance cameras made by Flock being used in their communities, while only 38% supported them.
The results mark a significant shift from last year, when a majority of respondents said they favored such surveillance. The survey also found that more respondents said the cameras did not make them feel safer.
Growing backlash
Flock is one of the most prominent surveillance technology companies, operating more than 120,000 license plate readers across the country that can track vehicles' whereabouts. The company has faced controversy following reports that police have abused the surveillance capabilities of its cameras. As a result, dozens of U.S. communities have rejected Flock's cameras or canceled existing contracts, citing privacy concerns.
When contacted by TechCrunch, Flock said there is broad support for its technology, though it acknowledged that "support isn't unconditional." The company pointed to recently introduced safeguards as evidence it is addressing concerns. Critics, including the ACLU, argue these safeguards do little to address the underlying issues and that Flock continues to pose a serious threat to civil liberties.
Amid the intensifying backlash — and a rise in vandalism targeting its cameras — Flock CEO Garrett Langley last week called for a "compromise" between surveillance and privacy.
