Flock’s surveillance cameras have already sparked outrage. WIRED reconstructed its next-generation AI system, already in use by some police, to confirm it goes much further than tracking license plates.

Interesting article with some info I didn’t know about Flock. It feels like surveillance is increasing so quickly these days 🫠

A small thing keeps getting mentioned, but not explained. These things maintain a ‘whitelist’ of license plates they’ll ‘ignore.’

Why? Who is on that list? And who gets to decide what licenses are placed on the list? Are these logged and audited?

Carmakazi
link
fedilink
22•2M

If there is no explanation one must assume the worst interpretation.

Wealthy connected people. The police who ultimately manage the local contracts with Flock. Federal agents and their ancillaries.

Why? “Because fuck you, we’re your betters. Keep your nose down, citizen.”

dmir
link
fedilink
2•2M

Pretty much this. I’ve been living under authoritarianism my whole life and such things are just clear as day.

Same reason so many social media or tech CEOs don’t really let their kids use the product: they know it sucks and it’s not good for you nor does it respect you or your data, they know how important privacy is - just not for you your privacy and data.

Pedophiles, it is to protect the pedophiles.

lyrial
link
fedilink
2•2M

The same assholes that get those cards/coins etc. to hand to cops to explain that they can’t be pulled over.

I received a job offer to work at Flock, as a security architect ensuring tenants don’t see each other’s videos… I’m declining. Flock it.

artyom
link
fedilink
16•2M

You could bring them down from the inside!

krolden
link
fedilink
24•2M

Take the job and leak all their data

madlad

PurpleFox
creator
link
fedilink
0•2M

Yessss nice! But I wouldn’t blame you at all if you decided to get that bag. Times be tough

dmir
link
fedilink
2•2M

Times are tough, but I think a security architect is one of the positions that lets you choose an employer based on morals as well, because it pays well, and if Flock is already considering you, you probably have experience and money to pursue some integrity.

I don’t know. There’re limits to what can be considered an acceptable hustle imo. I get the whole American thing about not judging what someone works. but you gotta cut it at elbit systems or ICE.

PurpleFox
creator
link
fedilink
1•
edit-2
2M

Yeah, I do agree for the most part. I think anyone who has the option should avoid working at these places.

But I guess I just don’t have a fully formed opinion about whether it’s less moral to work for an evil org or to throw away a chance to support loved ones. I’m tripped up by the hypothetical scenario where a job is the difference for someone’s ability to put a roof over their children’s heads.

artyom
link
fedilink
44•2M

Flock Safety has told the public for years that its technology “cannot recognize, identify, or track individuals.”

But that’s, like, the only thing it does, though…

When has that stopped a company from lying!

the SEC occasionally stops corps form lying, but that’s mostly just for public companies.

The first amendment does apply to corporations because they are people though.

Create a post

A place to discuss privacy and freedom in the digital world.

Privacy has become a very important issue in modern society, with companies and governments constantly abusing their power, more and more people are waking up to the importance of digital privacy.

In this community everyone is welcome to post links and discuss topics related to privacy.

Some Rules

  • Posting a link to a website containing tracking isn’t great, if contents of the website are behind a paywall maybe copy them into the post
  • Don’t promote proprietary software
  • Try to keep things on topic
  • If you have a question, please try searching for previous discussions, maybe it has already been answered
  • Reposts are fine, but should have at least a couple of weeks in between so that the post can reach a new audience
  • Be nice :)

Related communities

much thanks to @gary_host_laptop for the logo design :)

  • 0 users online
  • 108 users / day
  • 435 users / week
  • 1.32K users / month
  • 793 users / 6 months
  • 1 subscriber
  • 4.84K Posts
  • 120K Comments
  • Modlog