Dunwoody leaders approve controversial Flock contract after months of debate

New agreements block Flock from using city data for training, require breach notifications

Apr. 16, 2026 at 6:52am

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A conceptual illustration featuring overlapping, fractured geometric shapes in shades of blue and gray, representing the complex and divided nature of the debate over surveillance technology in Dunwoody.The approval of Dunwoody's Flock contract exposes the ongoing debate over surveillance technology and its impact on privacy and community trust.Dunwoody Today

Dunwoody's City Council has unanimously approved a one-year, $15,000 contract for Flock Safety's 911 dispatch software, after months of debate over data use and security. Officials say new agreements block Flock from using city data for training and require breach notifications, while residents remain sharply divided, raising concerns about privacy, ICE access, and private camera feeds tied to Dunwoody's network.

Why it matters

The approval of the Flock contract has been a contentious issue in Dunwoody, with residents voicing concerns about privacy, data usage, and potential ties to immigration enforcement. The new agreements aim to address some of these concerns, but the debate highlights the ongoing tensions between public safety and civil liberties in the use of surveillance technology.

The details

The Flock contract was twice delayed before the City Council's unanimous approval. The new agreements block Flock from using Dunwoody's city data for training purposes and require the company to notify the city of any data breaches. However, residents remain divided, with some still raising concerns about privacy, the potential for ICE access to the data, and the integration of private camera feeds into the city's network.

  • The Dunwoody City Council approved the Flock contract on April 16, 2026.
  • The contract was twice delayed before the final approval.

The players

Dunwoody City Council

The governing body of the city of Dunwoody, Georgia, which unanimously approved the Flock contract.

Flock Safety

An American autonomous driving company and a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., Google's parent company.

Dunwoody residents

Local residents who remain sharply divided on the Flock contract, raising concerns about privacy, data usage, and potential ties to immigration enforcement.

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What they’re saying

“The new agreements block Flock from using city data for training and require breach notifications, which helps address some of the concerns raised by residents.”

— Dunwoody City Council member

“We remain concerned about privacy, ICE access, and the integration of private camera feeds into the city's network.”

— Dunwoody resident

What’s next

The Dunwoody City Council will continue to monitor the implementation of the Flock contract and address any further concerns raised by residents.

The takeaway

The approval of the Flock contract in Dunwoody highlights the ongoing debate around the use of surveillance technology in local communities, balancing public safety with civil liberties. The new agreements aim to address some resident concerns, but the divisive nature of the issue suggests that the debate is likely to continue.