San Francisco Updates Police Camera Data Rules
New city policies limit how long police store license plate photos from third-party cameras.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Law Enforcement
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Mayor Daniel Lurie implemented new retention policies on October 5, 2026, for San Francisco Police Department license plate reader data. The changes follow significant concerns regarding unauthorized access to surveillance information.
Why it matters
The mayor introduced these measures to address public controversy surrounding surveillance privacy after millions of unauthorized searches. The policy aims to balance law enforcement needs with data security requirements.
New rules mandate monthly internal audits and an annual review by the Department of Police Accountability. Officers must now cite a specific incident report number for every search of license plate data.
The players
Daniel Lurie
The Mayor of San Francisco who introduced the updated surveillance data retention policies.
San Francisco Police Department
The local agency responsible for managing approximately 500 Flock surveillance cameras throughout the city.
Department of Police Accountability
A city oversight body tasked with conducting annual audits of the police department's data practices.
Flock
A surveillance technology company that provides license plate reader systems to law enforcement agencies.
Board of Supervisors
The city legislative body that passed a 2023 ordinance mandating one-year retention of license plate data.
The details
The city, which utilizes approximately 500 Flock surveillance cameras, now requires police to move license plate photos to an internal platform after 30 days. While the SFPD retains access to transferred data for 11 months for active investigations, the new process requires supervisor approval for each access attempt.
Timeline
2023: Supervisors approved an ordinance governing surveillance data retention.
2025: City Flock data was illegally accessed 1.6 million times.
Summer 2026: SFPD data was illegally searched 299 times.
October 5, 2026: New city license plate data retention rules took effect.
February 2027: San Francisco's Flock contract is up for renewal.
Legal Context
The city's new retention policy updates the 2023 Board of Supervisors surveillance data ordinance to improve privacy controls. These changes follow a broader trend of municipal pushback against third-party surveillance access, mirroring actions taken in cities like San Jose and Oakland.
The new policy mandates increased oversight, including monthly internal audits and annual reviews, to protect resident data from unauthorized access. These measures are designed to ensure that police surveillance activities remain transparent and accountable to the public.
The takeaway
San Francisco is shifting toward more restrictive internal storage for surveillance data to prevent unauthorized out-of-state access. Residents should monitor upcoming contract renewal hearings in 2027 to see if these privacy measures remain effective.
What happens next
San Francisco's contract with Flock is scheduled for renewal in February 2027, which will serve as a key point for further evaluation of the department's surveillance data management.
Further reading
Learn more about local oversight in San Francisco Law Enforcement.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Mission Local.
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