this post was submitted on 17 Aug 2024

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Privacy

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Flock Surveillance company is expanding (lemmy.zip)

submitted 1 month ago by possiblylinux127@lemmy.zip to c/privacy@lemmy.ml

30 comments fedilink hide all child comments

I recently discovered a company called Flock which apparently is building a massive surveillance network. I came across a reddit post on r/sysadmin where an admin received a request to install a black box device so that law enforcement could access cameras.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flock_Safety

https://www.aclu.org/news/privacy-technology/how-to-pump-the-brakes-on-your-police-departments-use-of-flocks-mass-surveillance-license-plate-readers (disclaimer: I don't support the political views of ACLU)

https://www.reddit.com/r/sysadmin/comments/1eu0fje/local_police_want_permanent_access_to_our_cameras/

all 31 comments

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[–] TheButtonJustSpins@infosec.pub 28 points 1 month ago (3 children)

(disclaimer: I don't support the political views of ACLU)

The.. political views? As in, where they decided to stop defending Nazis?

[–] krolden@lemmy.ml 0 points 1 month ago (1 children)

What are you dolts arguing about the ACLU comment instead of discussing the actual post?

[–] refalo@programming.dev 5 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)

Because in a way, everything is political, to someone, whether you like it or not. Even mentioning the ACLU could imply there is some agenda behind what OP is doing.

[–] krolden@lemmy.ml 0 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

Engage with the fact that theyre tracking every car on the road in real time. Thats plenty political, so why focus on who's talking about it?

There hasn't been a single other comment other than mine as of writing this thats actually talking about these cameras, you're all just circle jerking about the righteousness of some.organization that isn't even important to the discission.

[–] GolfNovemberUniform@lemmy.ml -1 points 1 month ago

Toxic.

[+] possiblylinux127@lemmy.zip -14 points 1 month ago (5 children)

They are fairly far left. I think freedom and privacy shouldn't he political. That is why I felt the need to leave a disclaimer as there are some political statements in the page.

[–] psud@aussie.zone 14 points 1 month ago (2 children)

Do you mean that you don't like the way they prefer to defend individuals against corporations rather than the other way around, or the way they don't help people defend themselves against lawful and reasonable government action?

[–] possiblylinux127@lemmy.zip -2 points 1 month ago (1 children)

I don't mean any of those things. I just want to point out that I don't support the political statements. I am not looking to start a fight.

[–] Tangent5280@lemmy.world 1 points 1 month ago

"I am not looking to start a fight"

That works, sometimes.

[–] steel_nomad@lemmy.world 13 points 1 month ago (2 children)

Everything is political. Unfortunately. BUT I am for ANY org that is in favor of individual rights and freedoms. Haven't looked at the ACLU in a while tho tbf

[–] user@lemmy.world -1 points 1 month ago

Because you make it that. Its political for you but for me, no.

[–] possiblylinux127@lemmy.zip -3 points 1 month ago (1 children)

The ACLU isn't to bad but they are definitely liberal. However, the work they do benefits us all. The EFF is a little less left leaning so I tend to prefer articles written by them.

[–] Schmoo@slrpnk.net -4 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Less left leaning than liberal? Are you suggesting the EFF is conservative?

[–] possiblylinux127@lemmy.zip -1 points 1 month ago

No, I am not. I am saying they are a little less politically extreme. They are left leaning but they less public about it. They still have left leaning views but they aren't as vocal about it.

[–] frauddogg@lemmygrad.ml 3 points 1 month ago

If you consider the ACLU to be 'far left' I don't think I want you at my kickbacks tbh

[–] anarcha_tankie_top@lemmygrad.ml 3 points 1 month ago (2 children)

everything is political.

this company pushing invasive surveillance tech upon underserved-and-overpoliced communities like mine is political.
our "representatives" accepting invasive surveillance technology is political.
our "representatives" requesting more invasive surveillance technology is political.
"law enforcement" having (real-time) access to all of these invasive surveillance tech like LPRs & cameras is political.
the core purpose of the police is political.

Also, the political cannot be seperated from the economic.

the ~~bourgeois~~ ~~capitalist~~ corporate media outlets push narratives that spread fear because it draws attention... more eyes/ears means that they can sell commercial time/spots at a higher rate to advertisers.
so, these outlets generate revenue by scaring the shit out of their audience.

our ostensible "representatives" run on & fundraise off of these manufactured narratives.

the police officer associations use this fear to lobby our "representatives" for greater resources (i.e., an increased share of the municipal budget (i.e, less money for everything else) shiny, new toys, more officers, etc.).

the companies supplying invasive surveillance tech make money through sales and/or (future) contracts.

it's all political, and the political is connected to the economic.

[–] possiblylinux127@lemmy.zip 0 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

I don't think you need to be a minority to be impacted by this tech. That is actually the most terrifying part. It doesn't matter who you are or where you come from you are being watched constantly. To be far most peoples cell phones use Google and the cell phone companies can track you somewhat with the modem. The difference is a phone isn't needed for transportation. Also your face is hard to change let alone your walk or any other ways they can identify you.

[–] possiblylinux127@lemmy.zip 0 points 1 month ago

[–] GolfNovemberUniform@lemmy.ml 1 points 1 month ago

Saying it won't help on Lemmy. When its users see anything related to politics, they will fight. Just ignore it.

[–] krolden@lemmy.ml 4 points 1 month ago (2 children)

Theyve been popping up all over my area. My city doesn't have them buy we are surrounded by them on three sides. Its fucking disgusting and terrifying and no one seems to give a shit and just get annoyed that I point them out every time we pass one.