Prism reports that UltraViolet, a women-led gender justice organization, launched a campaign this month asking Ulta Beauty to end its contracts with Flock Safety and other mass surveillance companies. The group calls it "Drop Flock."
Why is UltraViolet targeting Ulta?
UltraViolet says Flock's cameras threaten customer privacy and could disproportionately harm women and gender-expansive people. Jenna Sherman, the group's campaign director, told Prism that the group owed Ulta a campaign of its own "because it is a company with a majority-women shopper base."
Sherman said many shoppers may not realize they are being recorded. Prism reports that Flock lists Ulta as a retail partner in its public materials.
- Petition: more than 15,000 signatures as of September 8
- Goal: 50,000 signatures, or possibly 100,000
- Flock network: more than 120,000 cameras, according to a figure Flock gave Axios in August, Prism reports
What has Ulta said about the cameras?
Ulta did not respond to Prism's request for comment. Ulta's privacy policy says it uses automated license plate recognition where the law does not prohibit it, for the security of its premises, employees, guests and assets. The policy also says information from those systems can be shared with third parties, including law enforcement, for specified purposes.
Flock pointed Prism to its public media FAQ. According to that page, cameras collect vehicle and license-plate data for law enforcement investigations, and the agencies that use the system control access and retention. Flock says it does not sell the data or use facial recognition.
Prism also reports that UltraViolet cites estimates that Flock readers incorrectly identified the state on roughly 1 in 10 scanned plates. Sherman said such errors can pull innocent people into police investigations.
What changes for drivers?
Nothing in Prism's report changes which cameras are on the street or in a parking lot. The campaign asks Ulta to end its Flock contract, and Prism does not say Ulta has agreed to anything. Prism also does not say how many Ulta stores use the cameras.
Ulta is a private retailer, so its cameras are not run by a city or county. If you shop at an Ulta, Prism's photo caption says the retailer uses automated license plate reader cameras made by Flock Safety. Cameras that police or other agencies run are not part of this campaign, and Prism does not describe any change to them. To see which cameras are mapped near you, check the camera map.
Prism reports that UltraViolet wants 50,000 signatures, or possibly 100,000, and that it plans to keep seeking a meeting with Ulta leadership. Prism gives no date for that meeting.