In recent months, Flock cameras have appeared in our community. Both public and private groups have installed them. They are advertised as tools to increase safety. They read license plates and, in some cases, detect gunshots using artificial intelligence.
This may sound reasonable. But the reality is far more concerning. These cameras do more than track cars. They record audio, capture faces, and monitor people without consent.
Unlike the data we share online willingly, these cameras gather information automatically. Every drive, walk, or public interaction is recorded. This creates a constant surveillance network. It threatens privacy in ways most people never intended.
The dangers are real. Security researchers discovered that dozens of Flock cameras were exposed online. Anyone can watch the feeds. They can download footage or access controls. These leaks show the systems record more than license plates. They capture real people in public spaces. (404media.co)
Efforts to track these cameras have faced pushback. A project called DeFlock maps automated license plate readers. The company has tried to silence the project. Advocates argue this mapping is crucial for transparency. (404media.co)
Data from similar systems has been misused in the past. Searches have extended beyond stated purposes. They have raised serious privacy and constitutional concerns. (blog.deflock.me)
We cannot rely on these cameras alone for safety. Public safety must balance with privacy and civil liberties. Flock cameras record far more than license plates. Both public and private installations demand scrutiny. We need transparency, strict limits on data use, and safeguards to protect our rights.
Residents can act. Attend city council meetings. Call or email local leaders. Ask where cameras are located. Ask who can access the data. Ask how long it is stored. Demand policies that protect privacy. Or insist these cameras be removed.
Our safety should not come at the cost of our freedom. Speak up now. Protect your community from constant, unchecked surveillance.
Sources and further reading:
• Flock Exposed Its AI‑Powered Cameras to the Internet. We Tracked Ourselves. (404media.co)
• Flock Threatens Open Source Developer Mapping Its Surveillance Cameras. (404media.co)
• Mass Surveillance in Boulder – DeFlock Blog. (blog.deflock.me)
• Anti‑Surveillance Mapmaker Refuses Flock Safety’s Cease and Desist Demand. (EFF.org)
