As Wisconsin cities flee Flock, its shared camera network loses value
Several Wisconsin municipalities are canceling contracts with Flock, a company providing automated license plate reader cameras, due to privacy and civil liberty concerns. The loss of these cities is weakening the 'network effect' that makes the surveillance system valuable to remaining users.
Why it matters
The trend highlights growing public pushback against private surveillance networks and the legal challenges surrounding Fourth Amendment rights in the digital age.
surveillance blues As Wisconsin cities flee Flock, its shared camera network loses value “Network effect” can run in reverse.
63 Flock license plate reader and camera with solar panel in Pleasant Hill, California on April 16, 2026. Credit: Getty Images | Smith Collection/Gado Flock license plate reader and camera with solar panel in Pleasant Hill, California on April 16, 2026. Credit: Getty Images | Smith Collection/Gado Text settings Story text Size Small Standard Large Width * Standard Wide Links Standard Orange * Subscribers only Learn more Minimize to nav Perhaps it’s the local summer diet of deep-fried cheese curds , corn on the cob, and Spotted Cow , but Wisconsin residents have been feeling pretty dyspeptic about Flock’s automated license plate cameras.
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