The Digital Dragnet: Why Flock's 'AI Surveillance' is a Privacy Nightmare
AI-generated image · Bay Street Wire
As the Big Tech machine monetizes our movements, the refusal of Flock's leadership to face the Senate speaks volumes about their accountability.
Q: What is the core issue currently bringing lawmakers together regarding Flock?
A: As first reported by The Verge, members of the Senate Judiciary crime and counterterrorism subcommittee are increasingly alarmed by Flock's "AI Surveillance Network." Lawmakers are concerned about automated license plate readers (ALPRs) that collect location data on Americans who have not been accused of any crimes, often storing that data for up to a month.
Q: Who has been called to account for this technology, and what was the result?
A: Senate Judiciary crime and counterterrorism subcommittee chair Josh Hawley (R-MO) noted that the CEOs of Flock, as well as CEOs from peer companies Verkada, Motorola Solutions, and Axon, all declined to testify at a recent hearing. While a Verkada spokesperson, Virginia Ramsey, stated the company provided information to the subcommittee to assist in preparation, the leadership of these firms remained absent.
Q: What evidence of real-world harm was presented during the hearing?
A: The Verge reports that the hearing featured testimony from a Florida woman who spent 13 days in jail because Flock cameras incorrectly identified her vehicle as being linked to a crime scene. Additionally, a sheriff testified that his department terminated its contract with Flock after receiving "slippery answers" regarding the company's use of AI.
Q: Beyond incorrect identifications, what are the systemic privacy and security risks?
A: Cybersecurity engineer Benn Jordan told the subcommittee that he previously accessed Flock's image trove with "minimal technical maneuvering." While Jordan noted that security has improved over the last year after Flock addressed the incident, he warned that industry-wide issues remain. Furthermore, lawmakers expressed concern over the ease with which officers can access data to build dossiers on individual vehicles.
Q: How could this surveillance network be weaponized against specific groups?
A: Lawmakers from both parties raised alarms about the potential for abuse. Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) questioned if the tech could be used to track individuals seeking reproductive care in states where abortion is restricted. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) noted similar risks for Second Amendment supporters, suggesting cameras could be placed near gun stores, ranges, or gun shows. Additionally, Sens. Alex Padilla (D-CA) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) questioned how to prevent federal immigration authorities from accessing the data, with one witness suggesting a local officer could simply perform a search on an agency's behalf.
Q: What is the current status of federal legislation to curb these practices?
A: It is still early. Sen. Hawley told reporters after the hearing that he had only learned about Flock a month or two prior and that lawmakers are still "getting up to speed." While Hawley expressed a desire to hear from the CEOs, he noted that subpoenaing them would require a full committee vote, a step he had not yet discussed with Judiciary Committee Chair Chuck Grassley (R-IA).