Flock execs face tough questions from state lawmakers

Dan Haley, chief legal officer for Flock, and Matt Fanto, director of product security and privacy, appeared before the Joint Committee on Government Organization to address ongoing concerns about the company’s surveillance technology. The session marked a second major legislative review of the automated license plate readers that capture vehicle details, including make, model, color, and unique identifiers such as bumper stickers. Haley joined via streaming video to clarify the record and answer pending inquiries from state legislators.

The committee’s focus on Flock began in August when a previous Flock representative testified voluntarily. That earlier appearance prompted follow-up written questions from lawmakers, particularly Delegate Tristan Leavitt, R-Kanawha. Leavitt stated that the company did not address those questions in its opening statement and proceeded to review them directly during the Monday meeting. The exchange reflected a continued effort by the committee to understand the scope of Flock’s operations in West Virginia.

During the hour and a half session, committee members examined how Flock uses data, where images are stored, and who has access to the information. Delegate Chris Phillips, R-Barbour, chairman of the House Government Organization Committee, noted that the committee is balancing public safety needs with civil liberties as it drafts potential state-level policies. Community debates in areas such as Huntington and Monongalia County have intensified the scrutiny surrounding these cameras.

Haley acknowledged the earlier testimony, stating that while some answers were unsatisfactory to several members, he believed his colleague was honest and forthright. He expressed a desire to return the relationship to a constructive footing to ensure West Virginia law enforcement can utilize the technology effectively. He emphasized that every Flock employee is expected to represent the company with integrity when addressing legislative bodies.

Delegate Kayla Young, D-Kanawha, pressed Haley for specific numbers regarding Flock’s presence in the state. When asked how many customers Flock has in West Virginia, Haley initially described the number as relatively small. After Young insisted on a figure, Haley estimated the count at around 10, possibly 11, citing a lack of precision in the exact number. He declined to provide a specific count of cameras in the state, promising to retrieve that information quickly for the committee.

Advocates for the technology argue that the cameras provide objective, searchable data that helps law enforcement solve crimes quickly. They point to examples where the system instantly identifies stolen vehicles or tracks cars linked to abducted children and missing vulnerable adults. Critics, however, worry that the system creates a passive surveillance network that logs the movements of ordinary citizens without a warrant.

The committee continues to gather information as it considers legislation to regulate the use of these devices. Flock representatives will provide additional data on camera counts in response to the committee’s requests. The next steps in the legislative process depend on the answers received from the company and the subsequent review by the full committee.