Topic # Data retention How long records are kept, and what happens when policy says otherwise. [Data retention ×](https://flock-truth.com/articles?sort=newest) [Reset](https://flock-truth.com/topic/retention) **22** articles · page 1 of 2 · [RSS](https://flock-truth.com/feed.xml) Hoodline · Liam Patterson · September 23, 2026 ## [Monroe Kills Flock Safety Contract, Shuts Down All 23 License-Plate Cameras](https://hoodline.com/2026/09/monroe-kills-flock-safety-contract-shuts-down-all-23-license-plate-cameras/) hoodline.com Monroe's city council voted unanimously to end its Flock Safety contract, switching off all 23 license-plate-reading cameras. Aggregated reporting says more than 50 agencies or communities have canceled, suspended, or rejected Flock contracts since the start of 2026, and Flock now recommends seven-day data retention plus tools to flag abusive searches. Ohio has no statewide ALPR retention or audit rules. [Article](https://flock-truth.com/topic/article) [Community pushback](https://flock-truth.com/topic/community-response) [Data retention](https://flock-truth.com/topic/retention) [Flock Safety](https://flock-truth.com/topic/flock-safety) [Laws & policy](https://flock-truth.com/topic/legislation) [License plate readers](https://flock-truth.com/topic/alpr) [National](https://flock-truth.com/topic/national) --- ARLnow · ARLnow.com · September 15, 2026 ## [BREAKING: County Board votes to end Arlington’s use of Flock cameras](https://www.arlnow.com/2026/09/15/breaking-county-board-votes-to-end-arlingtons-use-of-flock-cameras/) arlnow.com The Arlington County Board voted to discontinue use of 41 county-leased Flock Safety devices, 26 license plate readers and 15 pan-tilt-zoom cameras, and to begin removing the equipment within 14 business days. Data not tied to active investigations will be deleted. The program, costing $106,250 plus a $93,000 annual fee, was never formally presented to the Board and drew resident-led opposition campaigns. [Article](https://flock-truth.com/topic/article) [Community pushback](https://flock-truth.com/topic/community-response) [Contracts & cost](https://flock-truth.com/topic/contracts-cost) [Data retention](https://flock-truth.com/topic/retention) [Flock Safety](https://flock-truth.com/topic/flock-safety) [License plate readers](https://flock-truth.com/topic/alpr) [National](https://flock-truth.com/topic/national) --- WITF · Stephen Caruso · September 10, 2026 ## [Pa. lawmakers eye limits, outright ban on Flock cameras as they prepare for fall return](https://www.witf.org/2026/09/10/pa-lawmakers-eye-limits-outright-ban-on-flock-cameras-as-they-prepare-for-fall-return/) witf.org Pennsylvania lawmakers from both parties have introduced at least nine bills to restrict or ban automated license plate readers, seven of them within six weeks, and both candidates for governor oppose the cameras. Proposals range from an outright ban to warrant requirements and local opt-outs. The Department of General Services is removing Flock from the COSTARS state contracting portal, while police chiefs and district attorneys oppose a blanket ban. [Article](https://flock-truth.com/topic/article) [Data retention](https://flock-truth.com/topic/retention) [Data sharing](https://flock-truth.com/topic/data-sharing) [Flock Safety](https://flock-truth.com/topic/flock-safety) [Laws & policy](https://flock-truth.com/topic/legislation) [License plate readers](https://flock-truth.com/topic/alpr) [National](https://flock-truth.com/topic/national) --- WVXU · Lilley Halloran · September 9, 2026 ## [Lebanon shuts off Flock cameras after company fails to reply to letter with concerns](https://www.wvxu.org/local-news/2026-09-09/lebanon-flock-cameras-company-letter) wvxu.org Lebanon, Ohio, council voted to immediately shut off and cover 20 Flock Safety license plate readers after the company did not answer a mayoral letter containing 54 questions about data retention and access within 21 days. Officials cited Mountain View's discovery of a changed nationwide search setting and a reported offer to sell five years of data to Sheboygan, Wisconsin. A motion to terminate the contract failed 4-3. [Article](https://flock-truth.com/topic/article) [Community pushback](https://flock-truth.com/topic/community-response) [Contracts & cost](https://flock-truth.com/topic/contracts-cost) [Data retention](https://flock-truth.com/topic/retention) [Data sharing](https://flock-truth.com/topic/data-sharing) [Flock Safety](https://flock-truth.com/topic/flock-safety) [License plate readers](https://flock-truth.com/topic/alpr) [National](https://flock-truth.com/topic/national) --- WALB · September 8, 2026 ## [Flock worker calls police on ANF chief investigator filming public camera installation](https://www.walb.com/2026/09/08/flock-worker-calls-police-anf-chief-investigator-filming-public-camera-installation/) walb.com Atlanta News First reported that a Flock Safety installer called 911 after investigative reporter Brendan Keefe filmed a camera being upgraded on a public street in Milton, Georgia, leading to a 17-minute traffic stop by three police units. A separate June call brought police to YouTube creators filming outside a Flock distribution center. Flock said staff may contact police over safety concerns and barred media from its customer conference. [Abuse & misuse](https://flock-truth.com/topic/abuse-misuse) [Article](https://flock-truth.com/topic/article) [Data retention](https://flock-truth.com/topic/retention) [Flock Safety](https://flock-truth.com/topic/flock-safety) [License plate readers](https://flock-truth.com/topic/alpr) [National](https://flock-truth.com/topic/national) [Privacy](https://flock-truth.com/topic/privacy) [Transparency & records](https://flock-truth.com/topic/transparency) --- Times Leader · The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune · September 6, 2026 ## [Editorial: More cops are accused of misusing Flock cameras. This is becoming too much like Big Brother](https://www.timesleader.com/opinion/1754413/editorial-more-cops-are-accused-of-misusing-flock-cameras-this-is-becoming-too-much-like-big-brother) timesleader.com A Chicago Tribune editorial cites reviews in West Chicago and Itasca after officers allegedly used Flock for unauthorized purposes, and an officer accused of hundreds of searches of former partners. It notes Washington Post reporting that at least 50 officers have been charged or accused of misusing ALPRs, describes Flock's shortened seven-day default retention, and lists Illinois municipalities ending or suspending contracts. [Abuse & misuse](https://flock-truth.com/topic/abuse-misuse) [Article](https://flock-truth.com/topic/article) [Community pushback](https://flock-truth.com/topic/community-response) [Data retention](https://flock-truth.com/topic/retention) [Flock Safety](https://flock-truth.com/topic/flock-safety) [License plate readers](https://flock-truth.com/topic/alpr) [National](https://flock-truth.com/topic/national) [Stalking & domestic violence](https://flock-truth.com/topic/domestic-violence) --- NBC News · David Ingram · August 31, 2026 ## [Florida bans Flock cameras and other license plate readers from state highways](https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/florida-bans-flock-license-plate-readers-state-highways-rcna595420) nbcnews.com Florida's Department of Transportation revoked all prior approvals for license plate readers in state highway rights-of-way, citing a rapid increase in deployments plus reports of misuse and data privacy concerns. The order does not cover private property or local rights-of-way, where officials say 98% of cameras sit, though the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office ended its program anyway. Flock said a ban was the wrong response and cited recent cases solved. [Abuse & misuse](https://flock-truth.com/topic/abuse-misuse) [Article](https://flock-truth.com/topic/article) [Community pushback](https://flock-truth.com/topic/community-response) [Data retention](https://flock-truth.com/topic/retention) [Flock Safety](https://flock-truth.com/topic/flock-safety) [Laws & policy](https://flock-truth.com/topic/legislation) [License plate readers](https://flock-truth.com/topic/alpr) [National](https://flock-truth.com/topic/national) --- Sebastopol Times · Julie Zigoris · August 26, 2026 ## [The debate around Flock cameras intensifies in Sonoma County](https://www.sebastopoltimes.com/p/the-debate-around-flock-cameras-intensifies) sebastopoltimes.com A Penngrove resident's petition demanding removal of Flock license plate cameras in Sonoma County gathered 214 signatures, citing surveillance and data-sharing concerns. A Sebastopol councilmember opposed the cameras, referencing ICE. A Sheriff's Department spokesperson said data is kept 30 days, is not linked to the DMV, involves no facial recognition, and is audited, crediting the cameras with aiding three homicide investigations in fiscal year 2025-26. [Article](https://flock-truth.com/topic/article) [Community pushback](https://flock-truth.com/topic/community-response) [Data retention](https://flock-truth.com/topic/retention) [Flock Safety](https://flock-truth.com/topic/flock-safety) [License plate readers](https://flock-truth.com/topic/alpr) [Our County](https://flock-truth.com/topic/local) [Privacy](https://flock-truth.com/topic/privacy) --- The North Bay Vanguard · North Bay Vanguard · August 23, 2026 ## [Residents voice concerns over Flock cameras at Santa Rosa Community Advisory Board Meeting](https://northbayvanguard.com/2026/08/23/residents-voice-concerns-over-flock-cameras-at-santa-rosa-community-advisory-board-meeting/) northbayvanguard.com At a July 22 Community Advisory Board meeting, Santa Rosa Police Chief John Cregan presented on Flock cameras and ALPRs, and residents alongside the North Bay Organizing Project questioned auditing of outside agency searches, data retention, and crime-prevention metrics. The department says data is kept 30 days and not shared federally. Over 730,000 plate reads were logged in 30 days, with more than 300 California agencies granted access. [Article](https://flock-truth.com/topic/article) [Community pushback](https://flock-truth.com/topic/community-response) [Data retention](https://flock-truth.com/topic/retention) [Data sharing](https://flock-truth.com/topic/data-sharing) [Flock Safety](https://flock-truth.com/topic/flock-safety) [License plate readers](https://flock-truth.com/topic/alpr) [Our County](https://flock-truth.com/topic/local) [Transparency & records](https://flock-truth.com/topic/transparency) --- NBC News · Kevin Collier and Tavleen Tarrant · August 21, 2026 ## [Flock camera vandals say privacy reforms aren’t enough: ‘The changes are bull----’](https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/security/flock-safety-vandals-say-companys-privacy-changes-arent-enough-rcna260463) nbcnews.com Flock Safety announced reforms on Aug. 13, including shorter data retention and new oversight, following a wave of activist vandalism against its nationwide network of surveillance cameras. Activists targeting the cameras say the changes do not address their concerns. The report notes that some communities have persuaded local governments to cancel Flock contracts while others renew each year. [Article](https://flock-truth.com/topic/article) [Community pushback](https://flock-truth.com/topic/community-response) [Data retention](https://flock-truth.com/topic/retention) [Flock Safety](https://flock-truth.com/topic/flock-safety) [License plate readers](https://flock-truth.com/topic/alpr) [National](https://flock-truth.com/topic/national) [Privacy](https://flock-truth.com/topic/privacy) --- Atlanta News First · Tim Darnell · August 13, 2026 ## [Flock Safety overhauls rules following ANF investigations](https://www.atlantanewsfirst.com/2026/08/13/flock-safety-tightens-search-rules-cuts-data-retention-amid-investigations-into-alleged-abuse/) atlantanewsfirst.com Flock Safety announced it is cutting its default license plate data retention recommendation from 30 days to seven, adding an "evidence mode" cold storage option for active investigations. The company will require its machine learning audit tool, proactive account lockouts for abnormal search behavior, mandatory case codes, and multi-factor authentication. The changes follow reporting on more than a dozen officers disciplined or arrested for personal misuse, including stalking partners. [Abuse & misuse](https://flock-truth.com/topic/abuse-misuse) [Article](https://flock-truth.com/topic/article) [Data retention](https://flock-truth.com/topic/retention) [False hits](https://flock-truth.com/topic/false-positives) [Flock Safety](https://flock-truth.com/topic/flock-safety) [License plate readers](https://flock-truth.com/topic/alpr) [National](https://flock-truth.com/topic/national) [Transparency & records](https://flock-truth.com/topic/transparency) --- American Civil Liberties Union · Chad Marlow · August 13, 2026 ## [Despite 'New' Updates, Flock's Creepy Cameras Remain Major Civil Liberties Threat](https://www.aclu.org/news/privacy-technology/tracking-alpr-cameras/despite-new-updates-flocks-creepy-cameras-remain-major-civil-liberties-threat) aclu.org The ACLU assesses Flock Safety's announced operational changes, including a reduction in default data retention from 30 days to seven days with an "Evidence Mode" exception, local control over which offenses other agencies may search for, mandatory search reasons, and wider rollout of an audit tool. It argues most measures repeat earlier interventions that officers circumvented and that the audit tool has never been independently evaluated. [Abuse & misuse](https://flock-truth.com/topic/abuse-misuse) [Article](https://flock-truth.com/topic/article) [Data retention](https://flock-truth.com/topic/retention) [Flock Safety](https://flock-truth.com/topic/flock-safety) [License plate readers](https://flock-truth.com/topic/alpr) [National](https://flock-truth.com/topic/national) [Transparency & records](https://flock-truth.com/topic/transparency) --- Washington Examiner · Claire Carter · August 3, 2026 ## [Flock sees controversial camera contracts canceled in 23 states](https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/technology/4672621/flock-controversial-camera-contracts-canceled-23-states/) washingtonexaminer.com Roughly 23 city councils have voted to cancel, reject, or deactivate Flock Safety license plate readers since January 2026, with about 98 doing so since 2021, according to the activist group Deflock. Harrisonburg and Elkton, Virginia, Framingham, Massachusetts, and Saranac Lake, New York, are among them, citing Fourth Amendment and data-sharing concerns. Flock says agencies own their data and set retention schedules. [Article](https://flock-truth.com/topic/article) [Community pushback](https://flock-truth.com/topic/community-response) [Data retention](https://flock-truth.com/topic/retention) [Data sharing](https://flock-truth.com/topic/data-sharing) [Flock Safety](https://flock-truth.com/topic/flock-safety) [License plate readers](https://flock-truth.com/topic/alpr) [National](https://flock-truth.com/topic/national) --- Flock Safety · June 30, 2026 ## [License Plate Reader Policy (Flock Safety)](https://www.flocksafety.com/legal/lpr-policy) flocksafety.com The vendor's own published policy, included here as a primary source. It states that customers own the data their cameras collect, that records are hard-deleted on a rolling 30-day basis by default but adjustable by customer request, that customers decide whom to share with, and that Flock uses under one percent of images for machine learning. [Article](https://flock-truth.com/topic/article) [Data retention](https://flock-truth.com/topic/retention) [Data sharing](https://flock-truth.com/topic/data-sharing) [Flock Safety](https://flock-truth.com/topic/flock-safety) [License plate readers](https://flock-truth.com/topic/alpr) [National](https://flock-truth.com/topic/national) [Transparency & records](https://flock-truth.com/topic/transparency) --- KSRO · Jeff Woodworth · April 1, 2026 ## [Sonoma Extends Flock License Plate Camera Contract Through 2028](https://www.ksro.com/2026/04/01/sonoma-extends-flock-license-plate-camera-contract-through-2028/) ksro.com The Sonoma City Council unanimously approved a three-year, $150,000 extension of its Flock Safety license plate reader contract. Police Chief Brandon Cutting cited a 100% solution rate in recent vehicle-involved crimes, and the city maintains a 30-day deletion policy and a ban on sharing data with federal immigration agencies. Sonoma operates 16 cameras and officials are discussing expanding coverage to all major routes into town. [Article](https://flock-truth.com/topic/article) [Contracts & cost](https://flock-truth.com/topic/contracts-cost) [Data retention](https://flock-truth.com/topic/retention) [Flock Safety](https://flock-truth.com/topic/flock-safety) [Immigration enforcement](https://flock-truth.com/topic/immigration) [License plate readers](https://flock-truth.com/topic/alpr) [Our County](https://flock-truth.com/topic/local) --- Sonoma Index-Tribune · Emma Molloy · March 31, 2026 ## [Sonoma City Council extends Flock contract for automated license plate readers](https://www.sonomanews.com/2026/03/31/sonoma-city-council-extends-flock-contract-for-automated-license-plate-readers/) sonomanews.com Sonoma's city council voted unanimously on 30 March 2026 to extend its Flock Safety contract three years through September 2028 at up to $50,500 annually, covering 16 cameras. Police Chief Brandon Cutting cited a September 2025 home invasion solved with the system and said data deletes after 30 days. The council separately approved $224,000 for Verkada cameras at city facilities. [Article](https://flock-truth.com/topic/article) [Contracts & cost](https://flock-truth.com/topic/contracts-cost) [Data retention](https://flock-truth.com/topic/retention) [Does it work?](https://flock-truth.com/topic/effectiveness) [Flock Safety](https://flock-truth.com/topic/flock-safety) [License plate readers](https://flock-truth.com/topic/alpr) [Our County](https://flock-truth.com/topic/local) --- Sonoma Index-Tribune · Emma Molloy · March 27, 2026 ## [City Council expected to renew Flock Safety contract for automatic license plate readers](https://www.sonomanews.com/2026/03/27/city-council-contract-flock-safety-license-plate-readers-police/) sonomanews.com The Sonoma City Council was set to vote March 30 on a three-year, $50,000-per-year renewal with Flock Safety extending use of 16 fixed license plate cameras through September 2028. The proposed contract sets 30-day retention, limits access to three certified administrators tied to documented cases, and bars sharing with federal or out-of-state agencies under SB 34. Local group Wake Up Sonoma has urged a city ordinance codifying privacy rules and public disclosure of camera locations and audits. [Article](https://flock-truth.com/topic/article) [Community pushback](https://flock-truth.com/topic/community-response) [Contracts & cost](https://flock-truth.com/topic/contracts-cost) [Data retention](https://flock-truth.com/topic/retention) [Data sharing](https://flock-truth.com/topic/data-sharing) [Flock Safety](https://flock-truth.com/topic/flock-safety) [License plate readers](https://flock-truth.com/topic/alpr) [Our County](https://flock-truth.com/topic/local) --- Sonoma Valley Sun · Larry Barnett · February 13, 2026 ## [Cameras in Sonoma Are Watching You](https://sonomasun.com/2026/02/13/cameras-in-sonoma-are-watching-you/) sonomasun.com A detailed account of the 16 ALPR cameras installed around the City of Sonoma's perimeter in 2023 for roughly $50,000. The cameras record plate numbers, vehicle color and type, and whether a plate is present. Police Chief Brandon Cutting, one of three certified administrators, says federal agencies cannot reach the data and that outside requests require administrator approval and are logged. [Article](https://flock-truth.com/topic/article) [Data retention](https://flock-truth.com/topic/retention) [Data sharing](https://flock-truth.com/topic/data-sharing) [Flock Safety](https://flock-truth.com/topic/flock-safety) [License plate readers](https://flock-truth.com/topic/alpr) [Our County](https://flock-truth.com/topic/local) [Privacy](https://flock-truth.com/topic/privacy) [Transparency & records](https://flock-truth.com/topic/transparency) --- WHRO · Toby Cox · February 11, 2026 ## [A federal judge ruled Norfolk's Flock surveillance cameras don't invade people's privacy – yet](https://www.whro.org/business-growth/2026-02-11/a-federal-judge-ruled-norfolks-flock-surveillance-cameras-dont-invade-peoples-privacy-yet) whro.org Judge Mark Davis granted summary judgment to Norfolk on 27 January 2026, holding that the city's 176 Flock cameras and 21-day retention window do not amount to an unconstitutional search. He warned the analysis could change as systems expand, writing that in Norfolk "the answer is: not today." The plaintiffs, represented by the Institute for Justice, plan to appeal. [Article](https://flock-truth.com/topic/article) [Courts & lawsuits](https://flock-truth.com/topic/legal) [Data retention](https://flock-truth.com/topic/retention) [Flock Safety](https://flock-truth.com/topic/flock-safety) [License plate readers](https://flock-truth.com/topic/alpr) [National](https://flock-truth.com/topic/national) [Privacy](https://flock-truth.com/topic/privacy) [Warrantless searches](https://flock-truth.com/topic/no-warrant) --- The Press Democrat · January 9, 2026 ## [Public safety must-have or threat to civil liberties? Debate over Flock license plate reader cameras has taken hold in North Bay](https://www.pressdemocrat.com/2026/01/09/flock-cameras-public-safety-bay-area/) pressdemocrat.com The Press Democrat surveys Flock deployments across the North Bay and finds Santa Rosa running the largest network in the region: 129 cameras with four more awaiting installation, under two contracts worth $421,650 and $897,999 in state and federal money, on a 30-day retention window. Healdsburg and Rohnert Park operate 26 and 23 cameras respectively. [Article](https://flock-truth.com/topic/article) [Community pushback](https://flock-truth.com/topic/community-response) [Contracts & cost](https://flock-truth.com/topic/contracts-cost) [Data retention](https://flock-truth.com/topic/retention) [Flock Safety](https://flock-truth.com/topic/flock-safety) [License plate readers](https://flock-truth.com/topic/alpr) [Our County](https://flock-truth.com/topic/local) [Privacy](https://flock-truth.com/topic/privacy) --- _Machine readable version of https://flock-truth.com/topic/retention. The interactive map and article filters are HTML only._