3 weeks ago
Flock license plate cameras face privacy backlash across US
Flock makes special cameras that read car license plates.
More than 100,000 of these cameras have been put up across the United States.
Instead of recording video, they take pictures of cars and store information like license plate numbers for about a month.
Police use the information to help catch criminals.
Some people think the cameras are too nosy and let police watch everyone's comings and goings.
A big group called DeFlock America, with more than 600,000 members, is fighting to remove the cameras.
Some people have damaged the cameras to stop them from working.
It has been reported that some police officers used the cameras to spy on people they knew, like romantic partners or exes.
Because of the complaints, more than 70 towns and cities have stopped using Flock.
Some people say the cameras help keep us safe, while others say they hurt our privacy.
Flock, a surveillance start-up, has installed more than 100,000 license plate reader cameras across the US.
A grassroots anti-Flock movement, including the Facebook group DeFlock America with over 600,000 members, is pushing municipalities to cancel contracts.
A 20-year-old known as Nomark has disabled about 30 cameras near Minneapolis and shares how-to guides with his 500,000 Instagram followers.
The Washington Post found at least 50 police officers have been accused of misusing Flock, mostly to spy on romantic partners or exes.
More than 70 municipalities have ended their association with Flock in recent months, according to an ACLU tally.
- Who
- Flock, a surveillance start-up that operates more than 100,000 license plate reader cameras, and opponents including the grassroots group DeFlock America, the ACLU, and police departments that use the cameras.
- What
- A grassroots movement across the US is opposing Flock's license plate reader cameras over privacy concerns, using vandalism, crowdsourced camera maps, and campaigns to pressure local governments to cancel their contracts.
- Where
- Across the United States, including the Minneapolis area, Los Angeles, and towns in Virginia such as Richmond.
- When
- The backlash has escalated over the past few weeks, with more than 70 municipalities ending their association with Flock in recent months; the article also references a double homicide investigation in May.
- Why
- Opponents argue the networked, shareable license plate database infringes on privacy and civil liberties and has been misused by police, while supporters say the cameras help catch criminals.
Privacy Advocates
Law Enforcement & Flock Supporters
Surveillance vs. crime-fighting
Privacy Advocates
Flock's networked, shareable database of vehicle data lets police track law-abiding Americans without warrants, infringing on privacy and civil liberties.
Law Enforcement & Flock Supporters
The cameras help police solve crimes, such as quickly identifying a suspect in a domestic-related double homicide who fled the scene in his pickup truck.
Vandalism tactics
Privacy Advocates
Supporters like Tucker Carlson call the vandals 'decent, patriotic Americans' taking matters into their own hands.
Law Enforcement & Flock Supporters
Flock CEO Garrett Langley has accused some opponents of being 'terrorists,' and critics correctly point out that the vandalism is illegal.
Police misuse of the system
Privacy Advocates
The Washington Post found at least 50 police officers have been accused of misusing Flock, including spying on romantic partners or exes and tracking women who had abortions.
Law Enforcement & Flock Supporters
Supporters such as Richmond police official Jon Bridges say the technology is a valuable tool, with his department querying the database for practically any vehicle-related crime.
Key facts
- Company
- Flock (surveillance start-up)
- Cameras installed
- More than 100,000 license plate reader cameras across the US
- Data captured
- Still images of vehicles, including make, model, color, license plate and bumper stickers
- Data retention
- Up to one month; shareable, sometimes across state lines
- Misuse allegations
- At least 50 police officers accused of misusing the system, per The Washington Post
- Municipalities ending contracts
- More than 70, according to an ACLU tally
- DeFlock America members
- More than 600,000 Facebook group members
- Cameras disabled by one vandal
- About 30 near Minneapolis, according to vigilante known as Nomark
Quotes
Tucker Carlson
Former Fox News host and conservative commentator.
“"There is really an incredible grassroots movement against Flock."”
firstpost.com
“"I'm not really as scared anymore."”
firstpost.com
Sources
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