The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) have filed a lawsuit against the city of San Jose, California, over its deployment of Flock’s automatic license plate recognition (ALPR) surveillance cameras. The legal action alleges that the city’s nearly 500 cameras have created an expansive network of data collection that violates California’s constitutional protections and privacy laws. The lawsuit, filed on behalf of the Services, Immigrant Rights & Education Network and Council on American-Islamic Relations, California, seeks to compel law enforcement agencies to obtain a warrant before accessing the Flock system. This legal effort underscores growing concerns about the overreach of surveillance technologies in public spaces.
According to the lawsuit, San Jose’s ALPR program is particularly invasive due to its retention of driver locations for an entire year, which is rare among other California agencies that operate similar systems. The plaintiffs argue that the city’s widespread use of cameras makes it nearly impossible for residents to avoid being tracked, especially given the city’s reliance on automotive transportation for daily activities such as commuting, school pickups, and medical care. The case joins a broader pattern of legal challenges targeting Flock’s technology, including a similar lawsuit in Norfolk, Virginia, which seeks to entirely dismantle the company’s network in that city.
The lawsuit highlights the broader implications of surveillance technologies in modern policing. As the legal battle unfolds, it could set important precedents regarding the balance between public safety and individual privacy. The ACLU and EFF emphasize that while ALPR systems can serve legitimate law enforcement purposes, their deployment without proper oversight and transparency risks eroding civil liberties. The case also raises questions about the ethical and legal responsibilities of companies like Flock, which provide the technology enabling such widespread data collection.
Residents of San Jose and other cities where similar surveillance systems are in place are increasingly vocal about their concerns. Advocacy groups are calling for stricter regulations on the use of ALPR technology, suggesting that without legal safeguards, such systems can disproportionately impact marginalized communities. The outcome of this lawsuit could influence future policies and legal frameworks governing the use of surveillance technologies in both the public and private sectors.