Flock sells an automated license plate reader (ALPR) system that is designed to track people without needing a warrant, this is typically frowned upon in America where you have a general right to privacy. While people claim you don’t have a right to privacy in public, it is questionable whether our constitution allows pervasive surveillance over long periods of time.
Police use Flock systems to track women suspected of getting abortions out of state, undocumented immigrants, and their ex-girlfriends.
The system is part of the Palintir network of companies whose ultimate goal is to destroy democracy and install a corporate hegemony of network states.
Why do you think everyone is talking about sawsalls?
The real issue is that police have so much political power in the US that they are the de facto rulers. They push for things that make their job easier regardless of the cost.
The company uses AI to run cameras in public areas and has worked with ICE/DHS.
There are more specific concerns about how the company operates and security of the information they gather, but I think those two points are why it has political salience. Also Americans have different values when it comes to surveillance and freedom from state interference.
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u/Nick_Needles MOC Designer Jul 19 '26
I'm too European for this. What is the controversy around flock cameras? What are flock cameras?