📢 Flock's "7-Day Retention" Announcement: What It Actually Means

You've probably seen headlines saying Flock Safety is cutting license plate reader data retention from 30 days to 7 days. Good news, right? Not so fast! Here's what that number does and doesn't actually guarantee. What it DOES do: ◇ Sets a new company-wide default setting for agencies that haven't customized their contract ◇ Adds an "Evidence Mode" feature aimed at flagging misuse ◇ Signals Flock is responding to nationwide backlash over surveillance abuse cases What it does NOT do: ◇It is not a law. It's a corporate policy default, not a legal requirement, so it can change again anytime Flock or an agency decides ◇It does not stop agencies from keeping data longer. Flock's contract terms explicitly allow extended retention (up to a year), as long as an elected official or governing body approves it ◇It does not override state law. In North Carolina, license plate data can legally be kept up to 90 days under state statute — the 7-day figure is well below that ceiling, not a new limit It does NOT mean every local department is at 7 days right now. Retention is set by each agency's individual contract with Flock, not by the press release Bottom line: the actual number that matters is whatever your local police department or sheriff's office has configured in their contract, not Flock's marketing default. If you want to know how long your town's cameras are keeping your data, the only way to find out is to ask your local agency directly or request their written ALPR policy. This is exactly why local meetings matter. Retention periods, camera contracts, and oversight policies are decided right here at home — by boards most of us never attend. If you want a say in how long your data is kept, show up and ask. 📅 Upcoming meetings on the Outer Banks: ⭐️ Dare County Board of Commissioners — Tuesday, Sept 1 @ 9:00 a.m. ◇ Southern Shores Town Council — Tuesday, Sept 1 @ 10:00 a.m. Duck Town Council — Wednesday, Sept 2 @ 1:00 p.m. ◇ Nags Head Board of Commissioners — Wednesday, Sept 2 @ 9:00 a.m. ◇ Kitty Hawk Town Council — Monday, Sept 8 @ 6:00 p.m. ◇ Kill Devil Hills Board of Commissioners — Monday, Aug 17 @ 6:00 p.m. ◇ Manteo Board of Commissioners — Wednesday, Aug 19 @ 6:00 p.m. ✉️ Email your commissioners or council members before their meeting and ask questions. A written question or public comment on record carries real weight, even if you can't attend live. Know your rights. Show up, speak up, or write it down — every bit of pressure adds up.