With the proposed partnership with Nexar, Flock would be able to extend its surveillance reach to approximately 350,000 vehicles by partnering with the dashcam manufacturer. In addition to cameras installed at fixed locations, the system will collect license plate data from participating vehicles as they travel through different areas, creating a more mobile and flexible coverage. 

Flock's existing network consists of large number of automatic license plate reader cameras mounted at fixed locations. Those cameras are capable of recording a vehicle's plate, color, and model at a specific point, however mobile coverage may provide additional information about the vehicle's movement beyond the camera location. The proposed expansion thus posed a wider privacy concern regarding the collection and tracking of license plate information across public roads. 

The project was of considerable scale. The presentation provided by flock stated that it could build a network of approximately 350,000 rideshare and delivery vehicles and extend its existing fixed-camera infrastructure. With this expansion, the company would be able to obtain license plate information from moving vehicles in areas where roadside cameras are not installed. Additionally, the plan leaves several questions unanswered regarding consent and disclosure. 

In the event that Uber, Lyft, delivery companies, or individual drivers were informed that dashcam footage could be used for the purpose of collecting license plate information, it is unclear whether they were informed. According to the details presented by Flock to the Georgia attorney general’s office, passengers could have been recorded without any direct notice. 

By obtaining the document through a public records request, a Georgia resident provided 404 Media with a detailed look at how the proposed system was presented to government officials. The partnership with Nexar was not implemented, according to Flock. Although the presentation indicates that the company was considering expanding its surveillance infrastructure by incorporating privately operated vehicles, it still shows that they were considering this option. Uber, Lyft and Nexar did not respond to 404 Media's requests for comment. 

The proposal comes after earlier scrutiny of the companies and their data practices. In 404 Media's previous reporting, a security breach involving Nexar resulted in the exposure of a large collection of customer footage, which included recordings of military facilities. Using leaked information, the outlet has also reported on a separate Flock project that attempted to link license plate records with individuals' identities. This initiative has been abandoned. The same model is already being used elsewhere. 

The BusPatrol system, which equips school buses with cameras and provides resulting data to law enforcement, illustrates how private surveillance systems can be integrated into larger surveillance programs. Using rideshare and delivery vehicles would have further expanded Flock's model to include a large and continuously moving fleet of delivery vehicles. 

As a result of this proposal, growing concerns have been raised regarding automated license plate surveillance, as well as the lack of transparency surrounding the collection and sharing of mobility data with law enforcement agencies.