AUSTIN (KXAN) — Flock Safety, a company the Austin Police Department uses to run its automatic license plate reader program, put out a lengthy statement “setting the record straight” amid concerns about data privacy and how the technology is used.
“In the spirit of that transparency, and in response to recent reporting, I want to break down exactly how our product interface works and how we enable communities to enforce public safety as is legally and socially expected in their particular jurisdiction. But let’s start with recent clickbait-driven reporting and social media rumors that mischaracterize Flock’s LPR devices,” Garrett Langley, the founder and CEO of Flock Safety wrote.
Previous coverage of Austin’s license plate reader pilot program:
- License plate reader vote postponed amid community, council concerns
- Safety leaders question privacy of Austin license plate reader data
- APD: License plate readers helping to solve crimes
- License plate reader cameras operating in Austin under new, updated policy
Langley first addressed the notion that license plate reader technology could or has been used to track down people seeking reproductive healthcare out of state. Flock Safety pointed to an article out of Texas, which it says is “unequivocally false.”…