32 Comments
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Robin Gilmartin's avatar

Such an important posting! The more you learn about ALPRs the scarier it is. The CT legislature is currently considering a bill to regulate them. It’s not just Dems in the legislature who favor strict regulation on these cameras; some libertarian leaning republicans are also on it.

Windsor, CT was the first town to turn off the cameras and develop a plan to assess all new AI tech used by the town to protect civil liberties. We just FOIAed west Hartford for Flock data, obtained copies of the Flock contracts, locations of fixed cameras and mapped them on deFlock. The town also has Flock cameras on the patrol cars!

J. Allen Kaiser's avatar

I’m really surprised there’s no reference to Benn Jordan in this writeup…he’s the Youtuber / musician / technologist / documentarian who did a lot of the initial research & whistleblowing on Flock Safety, their egregious security flaws, and the (arguably) criminal business tactics of their company…leading several cities to end their relationships with Flock, getting the attention of legislators to open investigations, and forcing the company to address some of its most glaring vulnerabilities.

Benn is one of the biggest reasons Ring Camera ended their partnership with Flock… but his latest vid from approx 5 days ago really tears into Ring cameras and federal law enforcement abuse of the data they collect, too.

I’d HIGHLY encourage folks to watch Benn Jordan’s videos on this subject (all of his content is A+, IMHO.)

Breaking The Creepy AI in Police Cameras:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Pp9MwZkHiMQ&pp=0gcJCdkKAYcqIYzv&ra=m

We Hacked Flock Safety Cameras in under 30 Seconds. 🫥:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=uB0gr7Fh6lY&ra=m

It's Time to Take Down your Smart Cameras 😬:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=UMIwNiwQewQ&ra=m

User's avatar
Comment deleted
Apr 8
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erika's avatar

You don't have to give them ANYTHING. They can ask, but that's it.

3outof6's avatar

When is someone with major popularity going to suggest we contact State Legislators to create an immediate law making collecting citizen's personal data a felony (phones, cameras, medical records, etc.) with huge fines that cannot be pardoned. Selling it can result in company's license being revoked and all investors will not be allowed to create another company involving data being collected and having any AI involvement, or disguising it as a safety measure for the citizens. And since flick has remained recording even after contracts have been cancelled, the cameras should be removed within 24 hours and all previously collected data be destroyed.

In the meantime, why wasn't this addressed a Long time ago and why do other countries already have laws in place protecting private information? Crimes can still be solved the old fashioned way, and taking DNA involuntarily at detention centers also need to be addressed as well as not transferring detainees for 1 mo and allowing due process. Way too many things to address NOW than allowing more legislature to further violate civil rights.

They need to realize they are also being tracked.

Peggy Kemp's avatar

It's not just in communities. I am on the road 3 hours a day in rural and suburban areas. I see them in communities, but I also see them in the unincorporated rural areas. I don't know if this is a the request of the county sheriff's office. I see them on state and US highways. Does this mean that the information goes to the US DOT? I'm in Texas, you know it will be shared with the Feds.

Jim Nowlen's avatar

Why dont you look at how that information is actually used?

Peggy Kemp's avatar

Like our state voter information is used? It has already been sent to the feds.

Jim Nowlen's avatar

You're comparing aardvarks and kumquats.

Jim Nowlen's avatar

Personally I am a fan of flock cameras. You would prefer high speed chases?

Jay's avatar

Over flock cameras, absolutely. AI logging every person and car that passes the camera and storing and selling that information without your consent is not the solution.

Jim Nowlen's avatar

Not the solution to what Jay? It definitely has helped solve crime.

Jim Nowlen's avatar

Show us the evidence of your assettion

Jim Nowlen's avatar

My local pd uses flick cameras. We are not selling the information

Jay's avatar

Flock is selling that information. Both to your local pd and elsewhere. That is how their business works. Police and security buy in to the service.

Jim Nowlen's avatar

Please show us the evidence of this being sold to other than police.

Jay's avatar

brother it is well documented ice and the government are using flock databases to track people. there are videos of people accessing camera feeds and recording how the cameras track you. private property that puts them up are accessing the same data as the police without going through them. you are an adult that can google things by yourself.

erika's avatar

Absolutely not but flock cameras are not the answer.

Jim Nowlen's avatar

What exactly is the answer ?

D.R.'s avatar

Thanks for good counsel here. As you've referenced DeFlock's site (helpful locator / maps), here it is again:

https://deflock.org

J. Sena's avatar

Abuses of Americans is rampant and always for profit, secretly and under the radar! Only Iraneans, Russians, North Koreans and other authoritarian regimes have surveillance to this abusive level. Except in the US, it's for profit! Amplify this article, enough of abuse.

Jim Nowlen's avatar

Look at least locally flick cameras solve problems and we don't need pursuit. What is your solution?

erika's avatar

There's a map somewhere on the internet where you can see where all those cameras are. I looked at it for my area, we have them too and they can be hard to avoid.

Jim Nowlen's avatar

No the info is not public access

erika's avatar

C'mon Jim. I saw it myself...

You're being a contrarian.

Jim Nowlen's avatar

No I am simply challenging your unsubstantiated claim

Jim Nowlen's avatar

You are claiming you can and have accessed the flock camera system? Are you a cop Erika?

erika's avatar

When did I ever say I have access to them?

No. There's a site you can go to that will show you WHERE THEY ARE. That's it.

Jim Nowlen's avatar

Only if you have a case number and the password.

Jim Nowlen's avatar

Show your work or go away.

erika's avatar

Go away? We're on the internet, Jim.