Penn State to Discontinue Use of Flock Cameras on Campus

Penn State University will cease the use of Flock Safety cameras on its campus, as confirmed by UPPS Chief Information Officer Jacqueline Sheader. The decision follows a review of the system's costs and operational value, leading to the conclusion not to renew the expired one-year contract for the automatic license plate reader cameras.

The university had initiated a pilot program for Flock cameras in February 2026 as part of a broader safety initiative. Despite the removal of these cameras, Penn State plans to continue exploring new security technologies that align with university policies and legal standards. No decisions have been made regarding a replacement system.

Flock Safety, which operates over 120,000 cameras across the United States, claims its technology aids in locating missing persons and recovering stolen vehicles. However, the presence of Flock cameras on campus has faced criticism from student groups concerned about privacy and data access.