White House Reviewing Flock Safety Surveillance Cameras Amid Misuse Concerns

Communities all over Massachusetts are temporarily shutting off, permanently shutting down, and even shipping out their Flock Safety technology due to privacy concerns.

It's not just Massachusetts where the high-tech license plate readers are ruffling feathers, either. The issue has even caught the eye of the White House. "It's being studied right now," President Trump said when asked about the Flock controversy by a reporter on Monday.

Newsmax reported, "President Trump said his administration is reviewing the Flock Safety surveillance cameras amid growing concern the technology could give authorities sweeping power to track the movements of law-abiding Americans."

Local Flock Controversy and Suspension in New Bedford

I admit I was skeptical at first as folks in New Bedford began to demand the removal of Flock Safety technology that has been in place here since 2024. They were pissed before I'd even heard of Flock Safety plate readers.

Since then, New Bedford Police Chief Jason Thody has suspended the Flock program pending an investigation. Thody said there is evidence that an officer may have used the tracking technology for personal reasons. Thody conceded that the Flock technology has helped with law enforcement.

READ MORE: Flock Cameras Shut Down in New Bedford Following Officer's Suspension and Audit

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Massachusetts Communities Watch As Trump Considers Flock Controversy

Growing Backlash to Flock Cameras Across Massachusetts Communities

Police departments in various Massachusetts communities, including Lynn, Hopkinton, Cambridge, Watertown, and Natick, have reported issues of their own or have terminated their contracts with Flock Safety due to concerns about misuse and privacy.

Federal Scrutiny and White House Response

For its part, Flock Safety is responding to the concerns. Fox Business reported, "Flock Safety, the embattled AI-powered security camera operator, announced an overhaul to its privacy and security measures Thursday amid growing backlash from consumers and reports of law enforcement abuse."

"You have pros and cons, right?" Trump said of the Flock controversy.

"It's being studied right now," he said. "We'll have an answer as to our views on it over the next couple of weeks."

Federal guidance could be just what local communities such as New Bedford are looking for to help deal with the issue. After the New Bedford City Council meeting that was set to address the Flock issue had to be suspended due to an unruly crowd, Council President Ryan Pereira rescheduled the meeting for this Tuesday. Councilor at Large Shane Burgo is hosting a meeting Monday night to explain how the council does its business and why it couldn't pass an ordinance against the Flock cameras last Thursday anyway.