Skydio DFR vs. Flock ALPR: Privacy, Surveillance, Intelligence, and Transparency in Public Safety Technology

Skydio compares its Drone as First Responder (DFR) with Flock's automated license plate recognition (ALPR) network point by point: Flock cameras run continuously, record every vehicle that passes, and retain data for 7 days by default, with city and county deployments ranging from dozens to thousands of units. DFR, by contrast, collects data only when a named human pilot launches for an authorized police, fire, or EMS mission, and video is uploaded to a secure digital evidence management system; most cities and counties currently have fewer than 10 DFR drones.