Student sues Genesee County in Michigan to expose Flock records
Lawsuits against Flock-enabled surveillance are piling up.
A pigeon perches on a Flock Safety camera. By Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
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- Josh Tewolde sued Genesee County after it withheld some Flock camera records he requested.
- He seeks camera locations, access logs, and scan records involving his vehicle.
- The Mackinac Center says public agencies must disclose surveillance records they control.
Key Takeaways by nexos.ai, reviewed by Cybernews staff.
Another lawsuit related to Flock Safety's automated license plate reader cameras has been filed, as people strive to protect their privacy.
This time, Kettering University student Josh Tewolde is suing Genesee County after it declined to release key records about its use of Flock Safety automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras, the Mackinac Center Legal Foundation said.
The nonprofit research and educational institute, which advocates for the principles of free markets and limited government, filed the lawsuit on behalf of Tewolde.
The student sought to have the county release its contract with Flock Safety, alongside the map showing where Flock cameras are installed. Tewolde also requested logs showing who accessed camera data and when, as well as records of scans involving his own vehicle.
However, the county produced only some records, including its contract with Flock, and the student is now asking the court to compel the county to release the remaining requested information.
The public deserves access to basic information about government surveillance, especially when it involves technology that can track people’s movements,Josh Tewolde was quoted as saying.
According to him, this lawsuit is about transparency and accountability, "so citizens can have an informed conversation about the balance between public safety and privacy."
Meanwhile, Steve Delie, a senior attorney at the Mackinac Center Legal Foundation, emphasized that when the government uses surveillance technology, the public has a right to audit its use.
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"Genesee County can’t outsource transparency to a private vendor. If the county owns the data, FOIA [Freedom of Information Act] applies – period," Delie concluded.
The lawsuit already has a precedent. Last year, the Skagit County Superior Court ruled that ALPR images are public records. At the same time, other cities are also being sued in similar cases.
For example, the city of Wichita was sued over allegations that the city’s ALPR license plate reader system violates the Kansas Constitution.
Meanwhile, as reported by Cybernews this past July, Flock’s CEO wants cameras in every US city.
