FLOCK aclu get the flock out
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Cities, police departments, and private companies that contract with Flock can also choose to let Flock access and share their footage as part of their sales demonstrations, though residents may not be aware footage of them is being used for that purpose. Residents of Dunwoody, Georgia, only learned that Flock employees were accessing cameras in sensitive locations u2014 including a childrenu0027s gymnastics room, a playground, and a poolu2014 after a local resident submitted a public records request.n
Flock also recently made several significant changes to its contractual terms and conditions that appear to diminish cities and townsu0027 control over data and otherwise shift power from customers to the company.n
Without strict laws regulating how data collected by ALPR cameras can be collected, stored, and used, companies like Flock have tremendous power and influence over your data. But local communities across the country are demanding that their state and local legislators pass laws to protect their data u2014 and the ACLU has drafted model legislation with essential guardrails to protect everyoneu0027s data and privacy.n","image_video_field_group":{"image_video_options":{"value":"image","label":"Image"},"image_group":{"image":false,"caption":"","credit":"","link-settings":"none","url":""},"video_group":{"video":false,"cover_image":false,"video_orientation":"standard"},"youtube_group":{"oembed-url":"","cover-image":false}}},{"title":"If Iu0027m not doing anything wrong, why should I worry about if my town has ALPR cameras? ","content":"
Unlike speed cameras or red-light cameras that only take a photo when a specific violation has occurred, ALPR cameras are always on and constantly photographing any car that drives past, making it possible to create comprehensive records of everybodyu0027s comings and goings. And that data can reveal very private details about our lives u2014 including the doctors we visit, the places where we worship, and the protests we participate in. A nationwide video surveillance network is contrary to the guarantees of the Constitution.n
Weu0027ve already seen the ways that this data has been weaponized and abused by law enforcement:n
n
- A former Kansas police chief used Flock cameras to track his ex-girlfriendu0027s vehicles 228 times over more than four months u2014 and even followed her and her new boyfriend in his police car.n
- In South Carolina, a former lieutenant admitted to using city-owned surveillance cameras to monitor his wife.n
- A former police chief in Georgia was arrested for allegedly using ALPR systems to stalk and harass multiple private citizens who were not being investigated for crimes.n
- A Colorado police officer wrongfully accused a woman of theft based on a Flock hit u2013 and then refused to look at evidence proving her innocence.n
- Even though ICE does not have a contract to work with Flock, local law enforcement has been caught conducting national searches on behalf of ICE for immigration purposes.nn
ALPR systems can also make mistakes when logging and flagging vehicles for law enforcement. And when ALPR cameras get it wrong, the consequences can be dangerous. A 12-year-old girl in New Mexico was handcuffed after an ALPR camera misread the license plate on the car her older sister was driving. In Colorado, a mother and her family were held at gunpoint because ALPR cameras wrongfully flagged their car as stolen.n","image_video_field_group":{"image_video_options":{"value":"image","label":"Image"},"image_group":{"image":false,"caption":"","credit":"","link-settings":"none","url":""},"video_group":{"video":false,"cover_image":false,"video_orientation":"standard"},"youtube_group":{"oembed-url":"","cover-image":false}}},{"title":"Can Flock and ALPRs be used in immigration enforcement?","content":"
Even though Flock does not formally have a contract with ICE or CBP, local police departments have carried out searches on behalf of ICE for immigration purposes, including its notorious Enforcement and Removal Operations division. Citizens and non-citizens alike are protected against unreasonable searches and seizures by the Fourth Amendment. To prevent ICE from using Flocku0027s mass surveillance network, your state legislature can pass comprehensive protections that include limitations on scenarios in which law enforcement can use ALPRs. Tell your state government to pass the ACLUu0027s model legislation.n","image_video_field_group":{"image_video_options":{"value":"image","label":"Image"},"image_group":{"image":false,"caption":"","credit":"","link-settings":"none","url":""},"video_group":{"video":false,"cover_image":false,"video_orientation":"standard"},"youtube_group":{"oembed-url":"","cover-image":false}}},{"title":"How do I find out whether my city and/or county has an active Flock contract?","content":"
You can file a public records request seeking records related to surveillance and cameras in your neighborhood. You might inquire about a contract first u2013 if there is one confirmed, you could request additional records on the total number of cameras and the location of cameras in the area. You can submit a public records request through your city or countyu0027s website. Some cities and counties are more transparent about Flock records than others.n","image_video_field_group":{"image_video_options":{"value":"image","label":"Image"},"image_group":{"image":false,"caption":"","credit":"","link-settings":"none","url":""},"video_group":{"video":false,"cover_image":false,"video_orientation":"standard"},"youtube_group":{"oembed-url":"","cover-image":false}}}]'