Georgia surveillance debate grows after alleged Flock Safety misuse

The arrests of four former Savannah Police Department employees accused of improperly accessing Flock Safety license plate reader data are renewing debate over how Georgia oversees law enforcement surveillance technology.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation charged three former officers with violating their oaths of office and misusing the system. A former civilian specialist faces two counts of misuse. The allegations were uncovered through an internal department audit.

The Savannah case follows a similar incident in Albany, where five former officers were arrested in July over allegedly unauthorized searches of Flock data. The cases have raised broader concerns about officers using surveillance databases for personal reasons rather than legitimate investigations.

Under Georgia law, accessing license plate reader records for non-law-enforcement purposes is a high and aggravated misdemeanor. Civil liberties advocates say the state still needs stronger privacy protections as surveillance technology becomes more widespread.

Nora Benavidez, digital justice director at Free Press, said Georgia lacks comprehensive protections for digital privacy.

“We need robust privacy protections in Georgia. Georgia code doesn’t even have a privacy or digital rights section, shocking given the age we’re in and the kinds of legal safeguards needed in the 21st century,” Benavidez said.

She also warned about the constitutional implications of government searches conducted without warrants.

“There are serious First and Fourth Amendment concerns any time the government goes around the Constitution, accessing our private information and data without a warrant,” she said.

Public opposition has grown as communities question the use of Flock cameras. During a demonstration outside Atlanta City Hall, activist Kamau Franklin said, “Flock is a surveillance system which has taken over Atlanta, and we’re protesting because we want to protect people’s right to privacy.”

Law enforcement officials continue to defend the technology. Lumpkin County Sheriff Stacy Jarrard said, “It’s not watching you.”

Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr has called license plate readers a “critical crime-fighting tool,” citing their use in violent crime investigations and missing-person cases.

Flock Safety has responded to increased scrutiny by shortening its default data-retention period from 30 days to seven. The company also made search-audit tools mandatory and began requiring case codes for database queries.

CEO Garrett Langley said, “We’re setting a higher bar for ourselves and the industry.”

As Atlanta audits previous searches, Georgia officials face a larger question: whether existing oversight is sufficient or stronger privacy laws are needed.