San Francisco Oakland San Jose, CA, August 21, 2026 —

Activists across the San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose Bay Area are escalating their protests, calling for local governments to cease all partnerships with the surveillance technology firm Flock Safety. The intensified demonstrations follow a recent trend of cancellations, camera deactivations, and stricter regulations concerning Flock’s automated license plate readers (ALPRs) by several municipalities, a county, and a university.

The pushback against Flock Safety is primarily driven by concerns over privacy and the potential for data misuse. Reports indicate that data collected by Flock’s ALPRs has previously been accessed by agencies outside of the state, as well as federal authorities. This history has fueled anxieties among residents and advocacy groups regarding the extent of surveillance and data sharing.

While Flock Safety has reportedly introduced modifications to its privacy protocols in response to these concerns, protest organizers maintain that these changes do not go far enough. They are advocating for the complete removal of Flock’s cameras from public spaces. The activists argue that the continued presence of this technology poses significant risks, particularly to immigrant communities. Their platform also calls for a reallocation of resources, suggesting that funds currently designated for surveillance technology could be better invested in community services and social programs.

The movement to sever ties with Flock Safety highlights a growing debate about the balance between public safety technology and individual privacy rights. As more local governments grapple with these issues, the pressure from activist groups for a complete disengagement from companies like Flock Safety is expected to continue.



Story summarized from the original created by Steph Rodriguez on ww2.kqed.org, see more information here.

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