The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that three Flock-brand cameras sit at the entrance and exit points of the Gloucester Premium Outlets. Private businesses, including the outlets, Home Depot and Lowe's, tend not to say much about their license plate readers, and a local group is pushing them to.
Do businesses have to disclose their cameras?
Privacy advocates say no transparency rules apply to businesses. Many keep private the number of cameras they have, who can see the data, and their data-sharing agreements.
Sarah Hamid, director of strategic campaigns at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, said that when businesses use this technology, there is "less of a paper trail" if the data are misused. She added that data-sharing rules are often specific to the store and location, not just the company.
Who owns the Gloucester Outlets?
Simon Property Group, the country's biggest mall owner, owns the Gloucester Outlets. A 2024 Forbes report found that Simon had a nationwide contract with Flock covering cameras in 49 states. Internal emails at the time showed Simon directly sharing camera feeds with at least two law enforcement agencies in California, regardless of whether a crime was taking place.
The Inquirer says it is unclear whether a similar agreement exists with the Gloucester Township Police Department. Simon did not respond to requests for an interview about its Flock cameras at the outlets or elsewhere, and local police did not respond to questions about data sharing with the outlets.
What do the stores and Cherry Hill Mall say?
Home Depot's spokesperson said parking area security cameras have been in place for many years, and declined to say how long plate readers have been part of them. The company's website says the readers are for detecting and preventing theft and protecting customers and associates.
Lowe's website says its cameras capture images of vehicles and their license plates, along with the time and general location. It also lists parking enforcement as a use.
Home Depot and Lowe's did not say how many of their New Jersey stores use the cameras. A Cherry Hill Mall spokesperson declined to reveal the brand of its cameras or how many it has, citing security concerns. The mall's website says it keeps plate data for 30 days and then deletes it.
Who can see the data?
Businesses have access only to the data collected on their own property, but they can choose to make it available to local police. If a police department contracts with a company like Flock, the data can become part of a national database.
Flock says it does not have a contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Home Depot says it does not give plate reader access to federal law enforcement. The Inquirer also notes that 404 Media reported last year that local Texas police shared Flock data from Home Depot and Lowe's with federal immigration authorities.
What changes for drivers?
The Inquirer does not say whether these store cameras feed local police. It says it is unclear whether the Gloucester Township Police Department has a data-sharing agreement with Simon.
To see where cameras are near you, use the camera map. How plate readers work explains the basics.
Bill Helfand, 81, held a sign that read "Big Brother is watching you" during a DeFlock South Jersey camera tour in August. He said, "If Home Depot wants to give up somebody else's information, they can do it." The group's mascot, Flocky, was set to appear at a Home Depot in Lawnside that Saturday.