WCTI reported that ECU Health, a private nonprofit, says its hospital Flock cameras are not covered by new University of North Carolina System rules for automatic license plate readers. The health system says it keeps its own internal policies instead.
The statement came about a week after the UNC System, which includes ECU, adopted a regulation for license plate recognition systems used by campus law enforcement agencies.
Does the new UNC rule apply to ECU Health?
According to ECU Health, no. The health system says the UNC System policy does not apply to it. The regulation covers campus police, and WCTI reports that it does the following:
- Limits how the systems and collected data may be used
- Requires safeguards for access and auditing
- Sets a 30-day limit for retaining routine data
- Takes effect Dec. 1, with institutions already using the technology required to comply by Jan. 1, 2027
Who can see ECU Health's camera images?
ECU Health says its Flock cameras capture still images of license plates to support safety and security on its hospital campuses. It says only ECU Health Police and select law enforcement agencies in eastern North Carolina can access the information, and only for public safety purposes.
WCTI does not say how many cameras ECU Health runs, where they are, or how long the health system keeps its images. Greenville Police did drop plans for 10 Flock cameras in August after community feedback, according to WCTI. For background on how these systems store and share images, read how plate readers work.
What changes for drivers?
Nothing in the WCTI report says ECU Health is turning off, moving or removing its cameras. The UNC rule covers campus police, and the report does not describe any camera being switched off because of it. Under the UNC rule, the 30-day retention limit applies to campus law enforcement, and the health system says it is not subject to that policy.
This story does not describe any change to where plate readers sit or who can search them. You can see which cameras are mapped near you on the camera map, and check published transparency records on the agencies page.
Questions to ask ECU Health and local police
- How many Flock cameras does ECU Health operate, and where are they?
- Which law enforcement agencies have access, and who approves that access?
- How long does ECU Health keep camera images under its internal policy?
- Who audits searches, and how often?
The next dates are fixed. The UNC regulation takes effect Dec. 1, and institutions already using the technology must comply by Jan. 1, 2027. Those dates apply to UNC campus agencies, and WCTI does not say what ECU Health's own policy will look like after them.