Boston has axed Flock Safety’s license-plate reader cameras following a data breach that saw sensitive information shared nationwide. According to the city mayor, Michelle Wu, this vendor error was a no-go. The 2025 surveillance report details a 6-month trial period, during which other police forces accessed data without permission. After the initial three-day glitch, Flock was swiftly shut down.

‘Ask the Mayor’ revealed this move as a necessary step, despite the tech promising a safer city. Boston is now partnering with Motorola and Axon for future trials. Meanwhile, the EFF highlights the wider privacy concerns, showing that even a short data leak can have serious repercussions.

The city’s decision underscores the ongoing debate over law enforcement and data privacy. As we entrust more technology to our safety, we must also question its reliability and its impact on our freedoms.

Will Boston’s experience set a precedent for stricter data handling in future tech trials, or will it be business as usual? Only time—and more trials—will tell.