Denver dumps Flock, awards location tracking camera contract to Axon
Hacker News
February 24, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Denver has decided to replace its automated license plate reading (ALPR) camera vendor, Flock Safety, with Axon following a year of controversy. The city council members grew increasingly distrustful of Flock after revelations that the company shared Denver's tracking data with federal immigration enforcement agencies, despite earlier claims that it did not have such partnerships. This breakdown in trust led to the mayor's office announcing that the new ALPR contract will require council approval, marking a shift from previous decisions where extensions were granted without input from the council.
The decision comes after Flock admitted to a secret partnership with U.S. Border Patrol, which allowed federal agencies access to Denver's tracking data through an undisclosed pilot program. This violated city policies and privacy protections aimed at preventing such sharing. Mayor Mike Johnston, who had extended Flock's contract twice without council approval, defended the cameras as critical for public safety but faced pushback from city auditor Tim O'Brien, who cited legal risks in countersigning the contract.
Axon, known for its alternative ALPR technology, is seen as a more privacy-focused choice compared to Flock's national data-sharing network. Unlike Flock, Axon does not operate a system that could expose local data to federal agencies, aligning better with Denver's privacy concerns. The switch reflects a growing emphasis on transparency and accountability in security technology, resonating with readers interested in tech and public safety innovations.
This decision highlights the importance of vendor trust and data management in technological systems used by government entities. As cities increasingly rely on ALPR cameras for public safety, the
Verticals
techstartups
Originally published on Hacker News on 2/24/2026