this post was submitted on 20 Aug 2026
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Privacy

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Interesting article with some info I didn't know about Flock. It feels like surveillance is increasing so quickly these days 🫠

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[–] fubarx@lemmy.world 36 points 2 days ago (1 children)

A small thing keeps getting mentioned, but not explained. These things maintain a 'whitelist' of license plates they'll 'ignore.'

Why? Who is on that list? And who gets to decide what licenses are placed on the list? Are these logged and audited?

[–] Carmakazi@piefed.social 34 points 2 days ago (3 children)

If there is no explanation one must assume the worst interpretation.

Wealthy connected people. The police who ultimately manage the local contracts with Flock. Federal agents and their ancillaries.

Why? "Because fuck you, we're your betters. Keep your nose down, citizen."

[–] Doomsider@lemmy.world 7 points 2 days ago

Pedophiles, it is to protect the pedophiles.

[–] dmir@gehirneimer.de 6 points 1 day ago

Pretty much this. I've been living under authoritarianism my whole life and such things are just clear as day.

Same reason so many social media or tech CEOs don't really let their kids use the product: they know it sucks and it's not good for you nor does it respect you or your data, they know how important privacy is - just not ~~for you~~ your privacy and data.

[–] lyrial@anarchist.nexus 3 points 2 days ago

The same assholes that get those cards/coins etc. to hand to cops to explain that they can't be pulled over.

[–] artyom@piefed.social 53 points 2 days ago (2 children)

Flock Safety has told the public for years that its technology β€œcannot recognize, identify, or track individuals.”

But that's, like, the only thing it does, though...

[–] freedickpics@lemmy.ml 1 points 1 day ago

Gotta ignore what they're telling the public and listen to what they're telling their shareholders and customers

[–] Daryl76679@lemmy.ml 6 points 2 days ago (1 children)

When has that stopped a company from lying!

the SEC occasionally stops corps form lying, but that's mostly just for public companies.

The first amendment does apply to corporations because they are people though.

[–] aev_software@programming.dev 25 points 2 days ago (4 children)

I received a job offer to work at Flock, as a security architect ensuring tenants don't see each other's videos... I'm declining. Flock it.

[–] krolden@lemmy.ml 27 points 2 days ago (2 children)

Take the job and leak all their data

reverse the whitelist

[–] distal@lemmy.ml 7 points 2 days ago
[–] artyom@piefed.social 20 points 2 days ago

You could bring them down from the inside!

[–] krolden@lemmy.ml 1 points 1 day ago

Take the job

[–] PurpleFox@lemmy.today 1 points 2 days ago (2 children)

Yessss nice! But I wouldn't blame you at all if you decided to get that bag. Times be tough

[–] dmir@gehirneimer.de 7 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Times are tough, but I think a security architect is one of the positions that lets you choose an employer based on morals as well, because it pays well, and if Flock is already considering you, you probably have experience and money to pursue some integrity.

[–] PurpleFox@lemmy.today 4 points 1 day ago
[–] distal@lemmy.ml 8 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I don't know. There're limits to what can be considered an acceptable hustle imo. I get the whole American thing about not judging what someone works. but you gotta cut it at elbit systems or ICE.

[–] PurpleFox@lemmy.today 3 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (1 children)

Yeah, I do agree for the most part. I think anyone who has the option should avoid working at these places.

But I guess I just don't have a fully formed opinion about whether it's less moral to work for an evil org or to throw away a chance to support loved ones. I'm tripped up by the hypothetical scenario where a job is the difference for someone's ability to put a roof over their children's heads.

[–] distal@lemmy.ml 3 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

It's essentially this "conundrum":

Work somewhere for the next two years and be able to lead what would've been middle class life 20 years ago. But your actions will be destructive.

Or decline to do that and try to get by living a less comfortable life which destroys less in the end.

I think the choice is clear. Other people have loved and just because you don't know them doesn't mean it's more "moral" to hurt them, which is what I am getting at when saying that one's actions are harmful.