License-plate reader company pauses work with federal agencies after backlash

Flock Safety announced it paused work with federal agencies after an Illinois audit found U.S. Customs and Border Protection used its license plate reader data in violation of state law, prompting the company to acknowledge past “limited pilots” with CBP and HSI and shortcomings in permissions controls. The report also details broader scrutiny over large-scale ALPR searches by federal and state authorities, public backlash (including Austin letting its contract expire), and the company’s expanding deployments, including on school campuses.