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NewsWFLA News TampaSeptember 6, 2026Hillsborough

Automated license plate reader companies beyond Flock Safety operating in U.S. communities

While Flock Safety is the most prominent provider of automated license plate readers (ALPRs), multiple other companies including Motorola Solutions, Genetec, Axon, Axis Communications, and Neology also operate surveillance networks in U.S. communities. Some cities are switching between these providers, though privacy advocates warn that replacing one brand with another does not necessarily change the underlying mass surveillance capabilities.

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Why It Matters

Residents may be subject to data collection by various private surveillance companies that track vehicle movements and store information in searchable databases, with policies on data retention and sharing varying by provider.

Key Facts

  • Flock Safety reports partnerships with over 5,000 law enforcement agencies across 6,000 communities.
  • DeFlock has mapped approximately 138,000 ALPR cameras across the continental U.S.
  • Flock Safety accounts for approximately 82% of mapped ALPR cameras.
  • Motorola Solutions accounts for approximately 5% of mapped ALPR cameras.
  • Genetec accounts for approximately 2% of mapped ALPR cameras.
  • Other ALPR manufacturers include Axon, Axis Communications, and Neology.
  • ALPR systems collect data including license plates and vehicle details like bumper stickers.
  • Data collected by ALPRs is stored in searchable databases.
  • Companies have varying default policies regarding data storage duration and AI usage.
  • Flock and Motorola offer nationwide law enforcement data sharing, while Axon does not.

Who's Mentioned

other6,000“Number of communities partnering with Flock Safety.”other5,000“Number of law enforcement agencies partnering with Flock Safety.”organizationFlock Safety“Primary provider of ALPR technology with a reported 82% market share of mapped c”organizationMotorola Solutions“ALPR manufacturer with approximately 5% market share.”organizationDeFlock“Organization maintaining a crowd-sourced map of ALPR locations.”organizationGenetec“ALPR manufacturer with approximately 2% market share.”personJay Stanley“Senior policy analyst with the ACLU Speech, Privacy, and Technology Project.”organizationAxon“ALPR manufacturer noted for not having nationwide law enforcement data sharing.”