How police officers used a vast network of cameras to spy on their exes
The Washington Post · August 2, 2026 · United States
The Post documented dozens of cases in which officers used Flock's nationwide ALPR network to look up romantic partners and exes without an investigative basis. One police chief searched an ex-girlfriend's plate more than 500 times.
Why it is in the file
Primary source for the 2026 abuse pattern: ALPR networks are not just a crime tool; documented officer misuse includes stalking, with the Post tallying roughly 46–50 cases by early August 2026.
Touted as dream crime-fighting tools, networks of roadside cameras by Flock and other companies have also been misused to spy on people's lives.
Related in the file
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