ALPR Flock Safety Cameras 101: Surveillance in Rhode

Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) Cameras are rapidly expanding across the state of Rhode Island. These cameras, such as the ones made by Flock safety, collect data that can be accessed by law enforcement agencies around the country. Despite the name, they are capable of collecting much more information than just license plates. Though they are marketed to help police solve crimes, this surveillance network is collecting a massive amount of data on every citizen who drives a car, raising serious concerns about privacy and constitutional rights. Come hear speakers talk about their advocacy and research around this issue.

Madalyn McGunagle, Policy Associate at the RI ACLU, will be giving an overview of ALPRs and discuss recent developments in Rhode Island.

Dr. Robyn Linde, professor at Rhode Island College, will be presenting her report on Flock Surveillance in Providence, part of a Service Learning Project developed for the Human Rights class she taught in Spring 2026.

Rhode Islanders for Personal Privacy is an independent local group started in the spring of 2026 that has been raising awareness about Flock cameras, AI, and other privacy related issues. We will be giving a presentation focusing on issues with Flock’s contracts and business practices and discuss what actions we have taken and how to get involved.

Location: Providence Public Library

Address: 150 Empire St. Providence, RI 02903

Date: Saturday, August 15, 2026

Time: 10:00am – 3:00pm

Time Zone: Eastern Time – US & Canada (change)

RIPP (Rhode Islanders for Personal Privacy) is an independent grassroots group of Rhode Islanders fighting government and corporate surveillance and AI abuses. Americans don’t have to accept Big Brother or even the creeping surveillance that already exists. We believe in a multi-track approach including public education, working to stop bad laws and enact better ones, and spreading the word on resources people can use to help themselves avoid exploitative tech. We aim to keep humane values alive even in difficult times and to help them grow over the long haul.

More needs to be done of course, but we have been active since Spring 2026 in opposing bad laws, supporting good ones and informing the public.