Illinois college covers Flock safety cameras after cancellation attempt fails

Elgin Community College covered six of its surveillance cameras after the technology vendor Flock refused to remove them, according to reports by The Verge Tech and The Verge. The Illinois college had installed the automated license plate reader cameras in April 2025 to increase campus security. [1][2]

According to The Verge Tech, college administrators grew concerned by September 2025 that Flock was sharing data with Customs and Border Patrol. School officials were also concerned that camera feeds were unsecured and that law enforcement officials and company employees were abusing access to the collected data. [1]

The Verge Tech reported that Elgin Community College requested Flock to cancel the contract in October 2025. After the company refused to dismantle the equipment, college staff covered the physical cameras. Flock representatives later returned to the property without authorization to uncover the devices. [1]