Influencers are urging Home Depot and Lowe's to drop Flock
Home Depot and Lowe's, two of the largest home-improvement retailers in the US, are being asked to drop their contracts with Flock.
Marcin Golba/NurPhoto via Getty Images Flock Safety, maker of automated license plate readers, has more than 5,000 private-sector clients.
Some consumers are now demanding that companies drop their contracts with Flock.
A group of online creators launched a campaign demanding Home Depot and Lowe's end ties with Flock.
A group of online creators with a combined 46 million followers is demanding Lowe's and Home Depot — two of the largest home-improvement stores in the US — to cut ties with Flock Safety amid a nationwide campaign against large retailers that may have contracts with the surveillance tech company.
In a letter sent Friday morning to the companies' executives, 56 content creators called on Lowe's and Home Depot to "terminate all its contracts with Flock Safety" and remove the company's automated license plate readers, or ALPRs, from their parking lots.
The letter raised concerns that data gathered by the cameras could be accessed by federal or local law enforcement agencies to target immigrant day laborers and other shoppers.
"By participating in Flock's network, you are endangering the safety of customers, especially the immigrants and people of color who shop at your stores," an email that was sent to the executives and viewed by Business Insider said.
Flock cameras collect license plate and vehicle data.
A company spokesperson said Flock has more than 5,000 private sector clients, including retailers, healthcare institutions, small businesses, and places of worship.
Lowe's and Home Depot have installed Flock cameras in their parking lots.
Paul Weaver/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images Law enforcement officers have previously told Business Insider that Flock's technology has helped their agencies solve crimes.
Flock says it helps businesses and communities prevent and investigate crime, including organized retail crime.
Business Insider also has reported that Flock cameras can misread license plates , leading law enforcement to the wrong people.
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