AFP: Grassroots backlash to Flock cameras grows as ACLU counts 70-plus contract cancellations

First reported: August 9, 2026 · 3 sources

An AFP report published August 9, 2026 describes a widening US grassroots movement opposing Flock Safety's automated licence plate reader cameras, ranging from online organising and lobbying of city councils to individuals disabling or vandalising equipment. The story profiles a 20-year-old Minneapolis-area activist known as Nomark, who said he had disabled about 30 cameras, and cites a Facebook group, DeFlock America, with more than 600,000 members. The ACLU told AFP that more than 70 municipalities, from Los Angeles to small Virginia towns, have ended their relationships with Flock in recent months. Richmond, Virginia police official Jon Bridges defended the technology, saying his department queries the database for practically any crime involving a vehicle and citing a May double homicide in which Flock data helped identify a fleeing suspect who was later arrested in a neighbouring county.

Why this matters

The report frames ALPR adoption as a decision made largely at the municipal level, where residents can press councils to renew or cancel contracts — a dynamic that has produced both documented cancellations and, separately, criminal damage to equipment.

Key facts

Flock has installed more than 100,000 licence plate reader cameras across the US, per AFP.
Cameras capture still images of a vehicle's make, model, colour, plate and features such as bumper stickers; data can be retained up to a month and shared among subscribers, sometimes across state lines.
The ACLU counted more than 70 municipalities ending their association with Flock in recent months; ACLU counsel Chad Marlow called the movement's growth 'stunning.'
A Washington Post investigation found at least 50 officers had been accused of misusing Flock, mostly to monitor current or former romantic partners; these are allegations, not adjudicated findings.
Flock CEO Garrett Langley has called some opponents 'terrorists'; commentator Tucker Carlson described camera vandals as 'decent, patriotic Americans.'

Sources

This summary was written from the published reporting below and links to it; BlockFlockNow does not reproduce article text.

Grassroots activists wage war on US police tracking their cars, one disabled camera at a time (Malay Mail, August 9, 2026)
Flock announces changes amid backlash over its license plate reader network (Greater Milwaukee Today, August 14, 2026)
Richmond residents say Flock Safety’s new camera safeguards don’t go far enough (WWBT, August 14, 2026)

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About this record

BlockFlockNow documents reported incidents involving Flock Safety cameras and automated license plate readers: council votes, contract decisions, misuse by authorized users, lawsuits, audits, and community response. Every record is reviewed by a person before publication. New to the topic? Start with What is Flock?, find meetings near you, or learn how to request your town's camera records.

Updated August 15, 2026. Corrections: blockflock@bytebunny.io. See all documented incidents or search the full article archive.