Flock’s artificial intelligence is profiling drivers without reasonable suspicion.

Flock Safety is piloting an artificial intelligence software called OS Investigate (previously called Nightshift). While a typical LPR system gathers information about a particular license plate number, OS Investigate creates dossiers based on the driving behaviors of individuals around a city, even if they aren’t committing a crime. If an officer inputs the area, time frame and general description of a person’s behavior, the software can identify the car and person.

1How the System Works

OS Investigate combs through footage from 6,000 American cities and towns. When prompted with a certain type of behavior, the AI can match the car and cross-reference police reports, 911 calls and private databases. The software then returns a full report on the driver, including name, address, family members and associates. This report can be generated automatically with no human interaction needed.

2Abuses and Public Backlash

Critics and ex-cops say the technology allows police to “hunt” for crimes without probable cause. In fact, police have used similar systems to spy on people they know and track down ex-girlfriends. Some cities have already canceled their agreements with Flock Safety, and in some places, residents have vandalized or stolen Flock cameras in protest.

In the world of 2026, LPR technology is so commonplace that it’s nothing to bat an eye at. But OS Investigate isn’t your typical LPR tool. Rather than gathering information about a vehicle, it compiles information on a person, based on their behaviors. And in doing so, it brings the bar for surveillance down to zero. With the growth of camera coverage, this means anyone who passes by a camera frequently could soon be subjected to an AI dossier — for no reason at all.