Mountain View Scraps Automated License Plate Reader Contract Over Privacy Concerns

City council votes unanimously to cancel deal with Flock Safety and remove cameras amid fears of government surveillance overreach.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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The city council of Mountain View, California, voted unanimously to cancel the city's contract with automated license plate reader (ALPR) vendor Flock Safety and remove the installed cameras. The decision came in response to public outcry over the potential for unauthorized access to ALPR data and concerns that the technology could enable government surveillance and infringe on civil liberties, especially for immigrant and minority communities.

Why it matters

The move by Mountain View highlights growing public anxiety over the rapid expansion of surveillance technology by government agencies. ALPR systems have faced scrutiny nationwide for the ease with which outside agencies and individuals can access sensitive, private data, raising fears about potential abuse and misuse. The decision reflects a broader reassessment of the tradeoffs between public safety and civil liberties in the digital age.

The details

Mountain View Mayor Emily Ann Ramos drew parallels between the community's concerns about ALPR technology and the repression her parents experienced under martial law in the Philippines. Councilmembers also cited historical examples of government overreach, such as the forced removal and incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II. The city will pursue recouping the $154,650 already spent on the license plate readers, though this issue will be handled separately. Flock Safety stated it respects Mountain View's decision but stands by its data privacy standards.

  • The Mountain View City Council voted on the contract cancellation on Tuesday, February 25, 2026.
  • Mountain View's first ALPR camera went live on August 14, 2024, with the 30th and final unit installed just last month.

The players

Emily Ann Ramos

The mayor of Mountain View, California, who drew parallels between the community's concerns about ALPR technology and the repression her parents experienced under martial law in the Philippines.

Michael Canfield

The Mountain View police chief, who acknowledged the clear value of the Flock Safety ALPR program in enhancing the department's ability to protect the community and solve crimes, but stated he no longer had confidence in the vendor.

Flock Safety

The automated license plate reader (ALPR) vendor that had a contract with the city of Mountain View, which the city council voted to cancel.

Lisa Femia

A staff attorney at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, who cited examples of law enforcement misusing ALPR data, such as tracking a woman who had an abortion and using the system to track an ex-romantic partner.

Ellen Kamei

A Mountain View city councilmember who drew a line between the dangers of government overreach and the forced removal and incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II, arguing that the city's decision was a necessary check on power in the digital age.

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What they’re saying

“There was a system where surveillance wasn't abstract. It was a tool to use, monitor, intimidate, and silence. And I grew up with those stories on why my parents led the Philippines to come to the U.S. And so for many immigrants and communities of color, surveillance technology carries that same historical weight. It's not neutral.”

— Emily Ann Ramos, Mayor of Mountain View (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Every community has the right to choose how to engage in public safety. We are proud of the success we've had in Mountain View helping solve crime and we hope to continue to do so, in alignment with California law and local community values.”

— Paris Lewbel, Flock Safety spokesperson (San Francisco Chronicle)

“This history reminds us of what can happen when civil liberties are overridden and when safeguards fail. It's incumbent on all of us as city council members to be vigilant in protecting both our public safety and our civil rights. I believe by taking this action, we can do both.”

— Ellen Kamei, Mountain View City Councilmember (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

The Mountain View City Council will pursue recouping the $154,650 already spent on the license plate readers, though this issue will be handled separately from the contract cancellation.

The takeaway

The decision by Mountain View to cancel its contract with Flock Safety and remove the automated license plate readers reflects a growing public concern over the potential for government surveillance and the erosion of civil liberties in the digital age. This move highlights the need for policymakers to carefully balance public safety and individual privacy as new surveillance technologies continue to proliferate.