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Dissecting Flock Safety: The Cameras Tracking You Are a Security Nightmare [video]

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222 points emsign | 2 comments | 16 Nov 25 15:50 UTC | HN request time: 0s | source
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echelon ◴[16 Nov 25 16:48 UTC] No.45946439[source]▶
These cameras are showing up everywhere in my state. It's creepy. I had no idea what they were, and now suddenly they're at every intersection, gas station, you name it.

I don't like that the government is tracking everyone's movements so openly. I knew they were doing this with cell phone data, but that wasn't so brazen.

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diogenes_atx ◴[16 Nov 25 16:53 UTC] No.45946482[source]▶
Here in Austin, the city council no longer allows Flock ALPR's (automated license plate readers) on city streets, but Home Depot and other businesses still use them in their parking lots, and they scan your vehicle license plate every time you enter and exit the premises. Flock sells its data to ICE and law enforcement.
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garrettlangley[dead post] ◴[16 Nov 25 18:13 UTC] No.45947116[source]▶
[flagged]
y-c-o-m-b ◴[16 Nov 25 18:32 UTC] No.45947263[source]▶
As the CEO of Flock, don't you feel you have more information to offer this community outside of the "we do not sell data" statement you've made over and over? The fact that you do not engage here in the ethical aspects of your product doesn't look good for you and only deepens suspicion that something darker is going on behind your doors.
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garrettlangley[dead post] ◴[16 Nov 25 19:02 UTC] No.45947476[source]▶
[flagged]
jacquesm ◴[16 Nov 25 20:21 UTC] No.45948079[source]▶
This is totally disingenuous.

You are selling tools that have zero upside and a lot of downsides and that are used for structural violation of the privacy of citizens. Don't hide behind that you're trying to help people stay safe, that is not what you are doing and if you believe that you can take credit for the upsides then you really should take responsibility for the downsides.

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aerostable_slug ◴[16 Nov 25 20:37 UTC] No.45948191{6}[source]▶
Zero upside? LOL, no.

I'm looking for convincing decoy ALPR cameras because I don't think my HOA will go for a real setup, and I've got concerns over the product's security. I want the appearance of surveillance if I can't get the real thing. Being on a Flock/ALPR tracking app/site would be a huge win.

There is no benefit to signaling one's virtue in this scenario. It's like having a sign in your yard that says "Proudly Gun-Free Household".

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queenkjuul ◴[17 Nov 25 01:27 UTC] No.45950093{7}[source]▶
My neighborhood is very safe and we have no such cameras. What problem are you trying to solve and why do you think cameras are the only solution?
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1. aerostable_slug ◴[17 Nov 25 16:41 UTC] No.45955280{8}[source]▶
> My neighborhood is very safe and we have no such cameras.

Good for you.

> why do you think cameras are the only solution?

Straw man.

I want to deter criminals from even thinking about targeting my neighborhood. The appearance of surveillance might serve as a powerful deterrent. Inclusion on a site that warns criminals where ALPR cameras are located would be a boon to this effort. Convincing decoy camera housings, the subject of my post, might be enough to get the neighborhood listed without actually having go forward with a full Flock installation.

Let me be extremely clear: there's no member of the set of humans that actively avoid ALPR cameras that I want coming to my home uninvited. Not a single one.

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2. queenkjuul ◴[18 Nov 25 02:30 UTC] No.45960750[source]▶
You think people will choose to target your neighborhood without the perceived threat of surveillance? Why?