Flock Camera Data After Contract Ends

When a Flock Safety contract ends, the camera data is handled according to the terms of that agreement, but the general practice is that captured footage and associated data are retained for a limited period and then deleted. The exact retention window and deletion process depend on the specific contract and local laws, but the key point is that the data does not simply vanish immediately—it is subject to a defined retention schedule.

Formula

The calculator estimates the cost of storing the retained data for a given period. The formula is:

Cost = Data Volume (GB) × Storage Rate (USD/GB/year) × (Retention Period (months) / 12)

Where:

• Data Volume (GB) – the amount of footage and metadata you have stored.
• Storage Rate (USD/GB/year) – an assumed rate of $2.50 per GB per year, which is a rough average for cloud storage with retrieval capabilities.
• Retention Period (months) – how long the data is kept after the contract ends.

Worked Example

Using the default values from the calculator: 12 months retention and 100 GB of data.

1. Convert retention period to years: 12 months ÷ 12 = 1 year.
2. Multiply data volume by storage rate: 100 GB × $2.50/GB/year = $250/year.
3. Multiply by retention years: $250 × 1 = $250.

The estimated storage cost is $250 for that year.

How Flock Camera Data Is Stored

Flock Safety cameras capture license plate images, vehicle characteristics, and sometimes video clips. This data is uploaded to Flock’s cloud servers, where it is processed and made searchable through their software. The company states that data is encrypted in transit and at rest, and access is restricted to authorized law enforcement agencies that have contracted for the service.

During the contract, agencies can search by license plate, state, vehicle type, color, and other attributes. The system also uses analytics to flag vehicles of interest, such as those associated with warrants or AMBER alerts. The actual video footage is typically retained for a shorter period than the plate data, often 30 days, while plate reads may be kept longer depending on the agreement.

What Happens at Contract Termination

When a contract ends, the agency and Flock follow a defined offboarding process. The key steps are usually:

• Data export: The agency may request a copy of the data it is entitled to under the contract. This is typically provided in a structured format like CSV or JSON.
• Retention period: After termination, Flock may retain the data for a grace period (often 30–90 days) to allow for final access or legal holds.
• Deletion: Once the retention period lapses, the data is permanently deleted from Flock’s servers, including backups, unless a legal hold is in place.

If the agency does not request an export, the data is simply deleted after the retention period. There is no automatic transfer to another vendor unless the agency arranges it.

Legal and Policy Factors

Retention and deletion are governed by state public records laws, which vary widely. Some states require law enforcement to retain records for specific periods (e.g., 90 days, 1 year), while others have no mandate. Flock’s contracts typically include a clause that the agency is responsible for complying with its own legal obligations, and Flock will follow the agency’s instructions regarding retention.

If a public records request is pending at the time of termination, the data may be preserved until the request is resolved. Similarly, if the data is part of an ongoing criminal investigation, a legal hold may be placed to prevent deletion. In practice, agencies often export the data they need before the contract ends to avoid losing access.

Common Misconceptions

One common misconception is that Flock sells or shares data with third parties after a contract ends. Flock’s privacy policy states that it does not sell personal data, and its contracts typically restrict data use to the contracted agency. However, aggregated or de-identified data may be used for product improvement, but this does not include identifiable license plate information.

Another misconception is that the data is immediately deleted the day the contract ends. In reality, there is a transition period to allow for lawful access. Agencies should not assume that data is gone immediately; they must explicitly request deletion if they want it expedited.

How to Choose a Retention Plan

When negotiating a contract, agencies should consider:

• Retention length: How long do you need the data for investigations? Longer retention costs more.
• Export format: Ensure you can get your data out in a usable format if you switch vendors.
• Deletion guarantee: Get written confirmation that data will be deleted after a specific period.
• Legal compliance: Verify that the retention policy aligns with your state’s public records laws.

Costs can vary significantly based on storage volume and retention duration. The calculator above gives a rough estimate, but actual pricing depends on the vendor’s contract terms.

Alternatives to Flock

If you are considering ending a Flock contract, alternatives include:

• In-house systems: Some agencies run their own license plate recognition (LPR) cameras and store data on local servers.
• Other vendors: Companies like Motorola Solutions, Genetec, and Vigilant Solutions offer similar cloud-based LPR services.
• Hybrid approach: Use a mix of fixed and mobile cameras with local storage.

Each option has trade-offs in cost, maintenance, and data control. Always ensure that the new system can import any exported data you need.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get my data after the contract ends?

Yes, if you request an export before the retention period lapses. Most contracts allow for a final data export within a specified window after termination. After that, the data is deleted and cannot be recovered.

Does Flock keep any data after deletion?

Flock states that data is permanently deleted from its systems, including backups, after the retention period. However, de-identified aggregate data may be kept for analytics, but it does not contain license plate numbers or personal identifiers.

What if a court case needs the data?

If a legal hold is placed, the data will be preserved until the hold is lifted. Agencies should notify Flock of any pending litigation or public records requests before termination to ensure data is not deleted.

How long does Flock retain data during a contract?

Typically, video clips are retained for 30 days, while license plate reads may be kept for up to 30 days as well, but some contracts allow longer retention. The exact period is specified in the contract and can be customized.

Is there a cost to export data?

Some contracts include a data export service at no additional cost, while others may charge a fee for large exports. Review your contract or contact Flock directly to confirm any charges.

Related

• Where to Watch Combat Robotics Competitions
• Recover Deleted Custom Font Plugin File Without Vendor Copy
• Turn Screen Time Off: A Practical Guide

in t | Retention period (months) | months | 12 | 0
in d | Data volume (GB) | GB | 100 | 0
out c | Estimated storage cost (USD) | USD | d * 2.5 * (t / 12) | 2