Denver has decided to replace Flock Safety with Axon for its automated license plate reading (ALPR) system. This decision follows a year of controversy surrounding Flock's practices, which included data sharing with federal agencies assisting immigration enforcement. The city's contract with Flock expires at the end of March, necessitating the change in vendor.

The problems arose after investigations revealed Flock's data-sharing practices and a secret partnership with U.S. Border Patrol. The company's CEO, Garrett Langley, was accused of lying to city officials. Denver's City Auditor raised concerns about potential legal liabilities stemming from the contract's terms regarding data access. The mayor had previously extended Flock's contract without city council approval.

Axon's selection comes as a result of the negative publicity and mounting scrutiny due to Flock's actions. Unlike Flock, Axon has stated it does not operate a national data-sharing network. Security researcher Benn Jordan has cautioned that switching vendors may not fully address underlying concerns about ALPR systems, as both offer similar data collection capabilities.

Ultimately, Denver's move to Axon reflects a response to public pressure and legal concerns. The city's choice underscores the importance of data privacy and transparency in the use of surveillance technologies. The new contract will require city council approval, a departure from previous extensions.