Utopia Tech
StrategyAI-assisted1 min read

Axon Is Another License Plate Surveillance Company

Municipalities like Denver are replacing Flock license plate surveillance systems with Axon alternatives, but this switch offers minimal privacy improvements. Both vendors' automated license plate reader (ALPR) systems collect extensive personal data beyond just license plates, making the transition largely cosmetic from a privacy perspective.

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Utopia Tech

July 28, 2026 · 1 min read

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Governments are switching, but I’m not sure it makes a difference : …some municipalities, including Denver, Colorado, are ditching their Flock arrays. But keep in mind that if they’re only switching from Flock to another brand of license-plate readers, like Axon, it’s like a gambling addict trying to kick the habit by switching from FanDuel to DraftKings. […] Despite what you may read on the Flock website, Axon cameras are pretty effective when it comes to hoovering up personal details that can go far beyond your license plate numbers.

That means a municipality that opts for Axon cameras instead of Flock units won’t necessarily reduce the amount privacy its citizens lose through their use.

Originally published at schneier.com

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