Changes to Flock’s terms & conditions

In an April 2026 ACLU analysis, Jay Stanley (ACLU Speech, Privacy, and Technology Project) warns that Flock has changed its standard terms and conditions in ways that appear to reduce cities’ control over surveillance data and shift power toward the vendor. The ACLU cites investigative reporting by IPVM and HaveIBeenFlocked.com.

The ACLU notes that Flock made at least four changes over roughly seven months leading to its standard terms dated February 16, 2026 (as described in the article). Those changes include:

• Sale of data. Prior terms stated that Flock “does not own and shall not sell Customer Data.” The ACLU reports that language is no longer present.
• Control over data. Customers are described as owning data in name, but Flock gains the “exclusive right to determine and control the method, timing, format, and medium” of access. Critics allege agencies may receive degraded copies lacking metadata such as timestamps.
• A perpetual license. Flock may use customer data to “support and improve” its services on a perpetual basis-including after a customer ends its relationship and loses access to the data itself.
• Liability, termination, and arbitration. The ACLU describes expanded limits on Flock’s liability (including for willful misconduct or gross negligence), mandatory private arbitration under Georgia law for disputes, and tighter restrictions on when customers can terminate contracts (including after a council vote or failed appropriation).

The ACLU recommends that current and prospective Flock customers review these terms closely and seek their own legal counsel before signing or renewing-especially before approving new public spending on ALPR networks.