tech

Inside the vigilante movement destroying Flock cameras

There are more than 120,000 Flock surveillance cameras in 6,000 communities across the US. These ALPRs (automatic license plate readers) are largely used by law enforcement, and have come under criticism from privacy campaigners, who say they are being used to surveil private citizens and target immigrants. Flock says their cameras are integral to public safety, but critics fear that the company is creating a mass surveillance network. Cities across the US are cancelling Flock contracts, but some concerned citizens feel the fightback isn’t happening quickly enough. Carter Sherman speaks to Sanya Mansoor about the underground vigilante movement taking matters into their own hands, and speaks to a self declared Flock vigilante known as Nomark, who is on a mission to destroy every Flock camera across the country

Inside the vigilante movement destroying Flock cameras

TL;DR

  • Over 120,000 Flock surveillance cameras are deployed in 6,000 US communities.
  • These ALPRs are used by law enforcement but criticized by privacy campaigners for potential surveillance of citizens and immigrants.
  • Critics fear Flock is creating a mass surveillance network, despite the company's claims of public safety benefits.
  • Some US cities are canceling Flock contracts.
  • An underground vigilante movement is emerging, with one activist named Nomark dedicated to destroying Flock cameras.