Just over a month after our coverage of a device enabling authorities to capture details beyond the basic vehicle data claimed by automated license plate readers such as Flock, a fresh investigation by 404 Media shows these systems record much more. The cameras now document information about people in addition to cars.

The report, released on Thursday, highlights how police departments utilize a specialized Flock tool known as FreeForm. The company describes this option as building upon Vehicle Signature, which includes plate details along with color, make, model, and features like roof racks or stickers. It allows queries using common phrases such as a white sports car featuring a racing stripe or a red pickup with a dog visible in the rear.

Flock promotes these capabilities openly on its platform. Records examined by the 404 Media team include searches for a male with tattoos, a man wearing a black t-shirt and shorts, and a white woman in a grey shirt with blonde hair, black shorts, and blue and white shoes.

Locating individuals requires only entering descriptive text into the text prompt field of the FreeForm interface. The system accepts more than plate numbers or characters.

No License Plate Needed for Identification

FreeForm operates on Flock Condor cameras fitted with people detection alerts and Guardian mode. These functions automatically focus on subjects and vehicles while logging their appearances. Although Flock maintains it avoids collecting personal information, facial recognition, or individual identifiers, the cameras still store visual traits of anyone passing by. Such data remains accessible to local agencies or others with sharing permissions.

Concerns arise from prior cases, including an officer using Flock to monitor a woman he stalked, instances of tracking related to abortions, and immigration enforcement queries on the national database. The tool now extends beyond vehicle matches to permit description-based searches for any person of interest.

Flock states that searches cannot target attributes like race, ethnicity, religion, or nationality. Yet FreeForm permits queries for individuals by skin tone, hair, tattoos, clothing, and similar traits that still enable identification outside standard vehicle records.

Privacy Issues Arise for a Firm Emphasizing Data Protection

Tom Bowman, policy counsel at the Center for Democracy and Technology, noted to 404 Media that the situation represents a classic bait-and-switch. Communities receive promises of tools for recovering stolen vehicles or locating missing children, only to discover broader recording functions later.

The revelations coincide with the Los Angeles Police Department allowing its contract with Flock to lapse amid data ownership questions, though talks continue. Strict California privacy rules require data to stay within the department and prohibit external sharing. The LAPD cited serious concerns over civil liberties and rights, stressing the need for strong safeguards on privacy and information security.

Flock's limited transparency on software functions and potential uses adds to unease among the LAPD, California residents, and the wider public. Claims of a privacy-first approach appear inconsistent with these developments, which may prompt additional cities to reconsider the technology.