More Minnesota police agencies use Flock cameras to fight crime. But who has the keys to the data?

The historic surge of federal agents in the Twin Cities is igniting new fears about who has access to the network of cameras Minnesota police agencies rely on to catch criminals.

These cameras are often seen attached to poles at street corners, outside malls, and even at the entrances to high-end neighborhoods.

State records show that law enforcement agencies across the state use more than 500 cameras to scan license plates of suspects as part of criminal investigations. Flock Safety said it contracts with more than 100 police agencies in the state.

While police appear to be big fans of the technology, critics are voicing their opposition louder than ever before, amid the immigration crackdown in Minnesota.

“The harm that can come from using this technology, I feel, outweighs the benefits...