# U.S. Cities Restrict AI Surveillance Cameras

Flock Safety’s AI-enabled license-plate reader network is used by police departments and private clients, but reported misuse, data-sharing concerns, and privacy challenges have led more than 150 U.S. cities to ban, reject, or deactivate the cameras. The signal identifies no specific solicitation or contract; its procurement significance is the heightened scrutiny agencies may apply to surveillance technology and the controls governing its use and data access.

- Agencies evaluating surveillance systems can address transparent use policies, access controls, auditability, and legal review in procurement and deployment decisions.
- Contractors pursuing public-sector surveillance work should be prepared to explain how their systems support accountable use and controlled data sharing.
- The city actions may affect adoption and retention decisions for similar camera networks; procurement teams can weigh those concerns alongside operational needs when assessing proposals.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Industries:** Public Safety, Information Technology
**Topics:** Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity
**Published:** November 15, 2026

### Government Entities
- Local police departments
- U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

### Vendors
- Flock Safety ()

### Sources
- [Flock Safety | Surveillance Cameras, Artificial Intelligence, Use by Police Departments, & Controversy | Britannica](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Flock-Safety) - Britannica