URBANDALE, Iowa — The Urbandale City Council amended its contract with a company that manages automated license plate readers throughout the city due to data safety and privacy concerns.
Council members recently raised concerns about the language in the city’s agreement with Flock Safety, which runs 26 cameras within the city, according to a letter Urbandale Police Chief Rob Johansen sent to city leaders on April 7. The changes were approved by the city and Flock, and now going forward, the company cannot disclose customer data to any third parties, including law enforcement agencies and government officials, without Urbandale’s prior written consent.
If legally mandated as part of the legal process, Flock must also provide Urbandale prior written notice before providing any footage to law enforcement agencies, government authorities or third parties. The notice will be provided at least 10 business days before the disclosure, allowing the city to limit or amend it…