Amid growing surveillance and privacy concerns surrounding Flock Safety’s automated license plate reader cameras, a report claims that Waymo robotaxis keep their 360-degree cameras active even when there is no passenger inside, meaning they continue recording their surroundings wherever the vehicles are parked. What could be particularly alarming for privacy advocates is that Waymo won’t reveal exactly how long the footage is stored by the company.
A report by Gadget Review reveals the extent of the issue in Nashville, Tennessee, describing a scenario in which a Waymo Jaguar robotaxi was parked outside a church while recording audio and video of its surroundings, essentially capturing every vehicle and person passing along the block.
Reporters from the Nashville Banner reportedly visited 12 Waymo parking spots over a week and found that 10 of the robotaxis were recording the street, much like surveillance cameras. The footage is stored by the company and can be accessed by law enforcement agencies through a “valid legal process,” although Waymo says it will challenge broad requests.
Notably, Waymo robotaxis are equipped with LiDAR, radar, microphones, and not two or three, but 29 external cameras. The vehicles remain powered on between rides so they can respond to emergencies, but they also continue recording during that time. Waymo says the recorded footage is retained for a “reasonably appropriate amount of time,” meaning the exact retention period remains unknown.
Legally recording citizens without their consent is a sensitive issue, especially as opposition to Flock cameras has grown, with many critics calling the technology a violation of the Fourth Amendment. John D. Shirley, the Hood County Constable for Precinct 2 in Texas, even went so far as to shut down Flock cameras in his county, calling them tools of mass surveillance.
Motorbiscuit reported this strong statement, in which he called out Flock Safety. He wrote:
“Today is a good day for the Freedom of the people of Hood County.
“I’ve finished the job of shutting down the county’s Flock cameras. They’ve been completely unplugged and covered.
“These cameras were constantly scanning and recording regular folks just going about their day. That kind of permanent, warrantless tracking doesn’t belong in a free society. By unplugging and covering them, we’re making it clear: privacy isn’t optional, and mass surveillance isn’t how we do things here.
“This is what limited government looks like. People in Hood County shouldn’t have to wonder if every trip they take is being logged and stored. I’m proud we got this done. It’s a real win for the citizens of this county.
“To Flock Safety Systems: come get your garbage out of my county.”
It remains to be seen whether the issue of constantly recording cameras and public privacy will be resolved, but the growing backlash makes it clear that many people are concerned.
