How to do it:

Flock is an AI enhanced surveillance tool that collects license plates and other information from city streets. That information goes to parent company Flock, whose contracts allow varying levels of “sharing.” Police departments may be sharing all records without realizing it, or they may turn it on intentionally. In Texas, officials used Flock records to track a woman’s movements across state lines. They were investigating her for abortion. In many states ICE accesses Flock records, seeking targets. In Sanctuary states this is illegal, and police have scrambled to correct their settings—once public scrutiny began. Flock also has issues with racist queries, as well as AI’s general racial bias.

Another Flock function is audio interpretation. Technology to triangulate gunshots so police can arrive more quickly (one city council found 99% of alerts were false alarms and cancelled the contract), Flock recently expanded this feature to detect “human distress.” It’s hard to imagine how that won’t end in tragedy at some playground or private residence.

It’s also worth noting that a court recently ruled that Flock records are public: you can obtain them with a FOIA request. While this opens up new ways to fight ICE, it also underscores a technology ripe for abuse. Finally, Amazon Ring has recently partnered with Flock to make data available to police. Currently it is opt-in but neither company has a trustworthy track record.

How to fight back:

Start by identifying Flock cameras near you. They may be municipal, or they may be business-related. For example, the image on this post is likely a Home Depot installation.

Business installations: if you can find a local alternative that does not have Flock, call both businesses to tell them why you’re choosing the Flockless option. If you can’t find a local alternative, it’s a harder task, but you can still pressure the business most likely to shift its policy. If one cracks, the rest will get easier. STOCKHOLDERS: you have additional power.

If your city already has Flock: contact city hall and the police department to ask for a copy of their policy regarding Flock data. If you live in a sanctuary state, ask what is being done to insure ICE can’t access data. Ask about deletion and privacy policies, how installation locations are being chosen (is it mostly in “some” neighborhoods?) etc. Also be aware that a court recently ruled that Flock records are public records. You can use a FOI request to get copies of areas where ICE is active, for example.

If your city is considering installing Flock: get involved. Begin by registering your disapproval with local government and the police department. Then spread the word to others, and ask them to call as well. Keep an eye out for meetings inviting public comment and see if a local Indivisible or similar group will join you in denouncing the technology.

If your city hasn’t said anything about Flock: let them know you won’t be voting for any surveillance technology. Tell them to invest in other forms of community safety, like adding mental health specialists to police welfare teams.