Judge denies request to exempt Flock footage from Public Records Act, and this ruling, frankly, feels like a necessary dose of reality in a world where surveillance seems to be quietly creeping into every corner. The implications of this decision are far-reaching, and it’s about time someone brought the hammer down on the blurring lines between public and private when it comes to who’s watching us.
The initial argument, as I understand it, centered on the idea that since these cameras are in public spaces, people have no expectation of privacy. Therefore, the footage they capture should be considered fair game.… Continue reading
Flock Safety, a company that deploys license plate-reading cameras, has suspended operations with federal agencies due to concerns over data usage, especially in Illinois. The company’s cameras capture billions of license plate photos monthly, with local agencies controlling the data and responding to law enforcement inquiries. Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias raised concerns after discovering Customs and Border Protection accessed Illinois data, potentially violating a state law restricting data sharing on abortion and immigration. As a result, Flock Safety has revised its system to clearly identify federal inquiries and limit search capabilities.
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Documents reveal that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) indirectly accessed Flock Safety’s extensive network of AI-powered license plate readers through state and local law enforcement requests. Over 4,000 searches citing immigration-related reasons were conducted across numerous states, despite Illinois law and Flock Safety’s policies prohibiting such use. This access occurred via Flock Safety’s “National Lookup” tool, raising concerns about privacy and oversight despite the company’s claim of local data control. The practice highlights the potential for circumventing legal restrictions on immigration enforcement through collaborations with local agencies.
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Matt Underwood 
John Q. Hosedrinker