Survey Reveals Greater American Opposition to Police License Plate Cameras Than Support
Opposition to surveillance companies, particularly Flock, appears to be reaching a critical juncture. A recent survey indicates that more Americans disapprove of these surveillance cameras than approve of them.
A YouGov survey involving 20,000 participants nationwide, shared exclusively with a prominent news outlet, revealed that 46% of those surveyed are against the presence of surveillance cameras in their neighborhoods, while only 38% are in favor. This marks a significant shift from the previous year when a greater proportion of respondents supported such measures.
Flock is a leading player in the surveillance sector, operating over 120,000 license plate readers throughout the U.S., which enable tracking of vehicle locations. The company has faced backlash due to reports of misuse by law enforcement, leading many communities to either reject or cancel contracts with Flock due to privacy issues.
The survey findings also indicated that a majority of respondents feel that surveillance does not enhance their safety.
In a statement to a tech publication, Flock suggested that there is substantial support for its technology, while also conceding that “support isn’t unconditional.” The company emphasized recent measures it has implemented to enhance privacy. However, critics, including the ACLU, argue that these measures are inadequate and that Flock poses a significant risk to civil rights.
In response to the growing criticism, Flock’s CEO Garrett Langley proposed a “compromise” between surveillance practices and privacy rights, especially in light of increasing vandalism incidents targeting their cameras.
