UPDATE: Flock Safety is making a last-ditch effort to reinstate its contract for license plate readers in Hillsborough, N.C., despite the town’s recent termination amid serious data privacy concerns. Just days ago, Hillsborough officials announced their decision to cancel the agreement initially set this summer to install ten cameras.
Mayor Mark Bell expressed alarm over the contract’s terms, revealing that Flock would retain the right to share data with unspecified third parties and government agencies. “That made us realize the system was going to be used by other entities other than the Town of Hillsborough,” he stated on Tuesday. “That is absolutely not what we had signed up for.”
In a bid to quell fears, Flock Safety reached out to Hillsborough leaders on Friday, October 20, 2023, requesting an urgent meeting to clarify contractual misunderstandings. Flock’s Chief Legal Officer, Dan Haley, emphasized that the town’s concerns stem from misconceptions about their technology. “The publicly stated reasons for Hillsborough’s action are entirely based on misconceptions about our technology,” he asserted.
Haley clarified Flock’s policy on data access, stating that even when compelled by a court order, the company consults with clients before disclosing any information. “The agencies who use Flock control access to their data, period, full stop,” he insisted. “They can approve or decline access requests from outside their communities.”
Meanwhile, Hillsborough’s spokesperson confirmed that the town’s attorney is currently reviewing the situation, with no further updates available at this time. Mayor Bell mentioned that the installation and operation costs for the cameras exceeded $81,000, and the town may not recover that expenditure.
As tensions rise, the urgency of this situation cannot be overstated. Hillsborough residents are left in uncertainty as officials navigate these complex discussions about public safety technology versus privacy rights. “We have a high degree of confidence that when given the opportunity to speak with our partners in Hillsborough, we will resolve their concerns and be able to move forward productively,” Haley concluded.
This developing story highlights the critical balance between enhancing community safety and protecting individual privacy rights—a conversation that resonates deeply in today’s digital landscape. Stay tuned for more updates as this situation unfolds.
