Boston Terminates Flock Safety Contract Over Data Sharing

The city of Boston has officially terminated its contract with Flock Safety, a company that provides automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras. City officials cited a violation of contractual provisions regarding data sharing as the primary reason for this decision. Mayor Michelle Wu announced the termination during her monthly "Ask the Mayor" segment on GBH News last week. This announcement preceded the release of Boston's annual surveillance technology report, which detailed the circumstances leading to the contract's end. The report identified a "vendor error" by Flock Safety as the cause of the unauthorized nationwide data sharing. The trial deployment of Flock's ALPR cameras in Boston involved approximately 45 units. These cameras were installed and operated by the Boston Police Department from April to September of the previous year, 2025. According to the surveillance technology report, the breach of data sharing protocols occurred within the initial days of this pilot program. The specific nature of the "vendor error" that led to the nationwide data dissemination was not fully elaborated upon in the initial reports, but the consequence was that data collected from Boston's cameras was shared beyond the agreed-upon parameters. Flock Safety's technology is designed to capture license plate information from vehicles, which can then be used for various law enforcement and public safety purposes, including identifying stolen vehicles or tracking suspects. However, the contract between Boston and Flock Safety included specific clauses that limited how and where this collected data could be shared. The violation of these clauses has led to a complete severing of ties between the city and the company. The Boston Police Department's use of ALPR technology is part of a broader trend in urban surveillance, where cities are increasingly adopting advanced technologies to enhance public safety. However, these deployments also raise significant privacy concerns and necessitate stringent oversight and clear contractual agreements to prevent misuse or unauthorized access to sensitive data. The termination by Boston underscores the importance of accountability and adherence to contractual obligations for technology vendors working with municipal governments. The city's decision to abandon Flock Safety's services indicates a strong stance against the company's data handling practices, particularly given the sensitive nature of license plate data. Further details regarding the extent of the nationwide data sharing and the specific implications for privacy are expected to be addressed as the situation unfolds and the full impact of the vendor error is assessed.