Home Depot and Lowe's Share Data from AI Cameras with Cops
17 days ago
- #privacy
- #law enforcement
- #surveillance
- Lowe’s and Home Depot are funding AI-powered license plate reading cameras in their parking lots, feeding data into a law enforcement surveillance system.
- Records show the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office can access Flock cameras at 173 Lowe’s locations nationwide and Home Depot stores in Texas, including gunshot-detecting microphones.
- Flock’s surveillance network includes both police-operated and privately-owned cameras, expanding its reach across the U.S.
- EFF’s Dave Maass raises concerns about customer privacy and safety, questioning whether customers are aware their data is being collected and shared.
- Flock’s ALPR cameras constantly scan license plates, creating a database of people’s movements accessible to police, often without a warrant.
- Government agencies can share Flock camera data statewide or nationwide, while private companies have more restrictive sharing options.