Cities Panic over Having to Release Mass Surveillance Recordings
5 days ago
- #FlockSafety
- #privacy
- #surveillance
- Flock Safety's license plate readers and surveillance cameras capture extensive data, including vehicle details and personal information, under the guise of safety.
- A Washington state judge ruled that Flock's surveillance data qualifies as public records, leading some cities to deactivate their systems due to privacy concerns.
- Flock's technology is used aggressively, even in small municipalities, and can quickly scan and compare license plates, raising significant privacy issues.
- The company faces backlash as cities reconsider contracts, fearing financial and legal burdens from public records requests and potential lawsuits.
- Privacy advocates highlight the invasive nature of Flock's surveillance, which records everything, including individuals, not just vehicles.
- The ruling could set a precedent, making widespread surveillance systems like Flock's financially and legally unsustainable for many municipalities.
- Concerns about misuse of data, such as by ICE, and the lack of transparency in how footage is stored and accessed, further fuel opposition to Flock's systems.
- Alternatives and resistance efforts, such as deflock.me and stopflock.com, are emerging to combat pervasive surveillance.
- The debate underscores broader issues about government surveillance, privacy rights, and the balance between security and individual freedoms.