Lowe's Under Fire: AI Surveillance Partnership with Flock Safety Sparks Privacy Outrage

Lowe’s Home Improvement is under intense scrutiny to terminate its partnership with Flock Safety, the surveillance technology company known for its AI-powered cameras, drones, and automated license plate readers (ALPRs). The controversy stems from reports that Flock’s data has been accessed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and even used in an investigation involving a woman who had an abortion, raising alarms about the expansion of a mass surveillance state.

In August, 404 Media reported that Flock cameras installed outside Lowe’s and The Home Depot were being integrated into a broader surveillance network accessible to law enforcement. The report cited records obtained by the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF).

Civil Rights Groups Demand Lowe’s End Flock Partnership

On April 1, a coalition of 38 organizations—including Fight for the Future, EFF, and the American Federation of Teachers—sent a letter to Lowe’s CEO Marvin Ellison and other executives, urging the company to terminate its contract with Flock. The letter, obtained by Fast Company, warned that the U.S. is at a "serious inflection point" where mass surveillance poses "life-altering consequences" for individuals’ rights and liberties.

The groups highlighted the dangers of ALPR technology, stating:

"Time and again, we’ve seen how automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras have exposed individuals to danger and persecution, whether they be protesters, legal observers, those seeking reproductive and gender-affirming care, or communities of color who are frequently profiled and harassed."

The coalition argued that Lowe’s has a responsibility to prioritize public welfare over corporate partnerships that align with "brutal immigration policies" and "authoritarian rule." Fight for the Future set an April 17 deadline for Lowe’s to respond but reported no reply as of publication. Lowe’s also did not respond to Fast Company’s request for comment regarding its ongoing Flock contract.

Flock Safety Defends Data Practices Amid Privacy Concerns

A Flock Safety spokesperson told Fast Company that customers retain full control over their data and must consent before any sharing with law enforcement. The spokesperson emphasized:

"We would never share customer data without permission from the customer. There definitely are instances where private customers share with law enforcement but it’s with customer permission."

Flock also cited legal precedents, including a Virginia ruling and over 20 federal district court decisions, which upheld the constitutionality of ALPR technology. The company argued that fixed ALPRs operate under "very well legislated" guidelines with no reasonable expectation of privacy. Additionally, Flock asserted that its technology is "lifesaving and critical," pointing to a press release issued on April 20 that detailed how ALPRs helped recover six abducted children over five months.

Retail Surveillance Debate Expands Beyond Lowe’s

Lowe’s is not alone in facing backlash over its Flock Safety partnership. The Home Depot has also encountered boycott threats and investor demands to evaluate the "privacy and civil rights risks" associated with the technology, including potential discrimination and wrongful detentions.