DelaneyShea

In the United States, there are digital eyes silently watching and recording every citizen’s movement. Decorating mundane streetpoles, Flock cameras record footage that is then fed into municipal and federal databases. 

American citizens were blindsided by the implementation of the security system across the country, leading people to distrust the use of Flock systems. This silent surveillance raises countless concerns among Americans: What does this mean for privacy? How will it affect the way the American government deals with artificial intelligence (AI) and security?

What even are “Flock” cameras? These automated license plate readers (ALPR) are AI-powered cameras that monitor and log vehicle movement in public spaces. They were created in 2017 by Flock Safety, and while many other companies produce similar cameras, the public still refers to them as “Flock” cameras. The footage is assessed by an AI model, with little human revision to verify details.

Flock cameras intend to help law enforcement make the nation safer. They help cases such as hit-and-runs, missing children, kidnappings, robberies, assaults, drive-by shootings and drug transports. Law enforcement reports that Flock cameras have helped solve 700,000 crimes, but the public says that the drawbacks outweigh the benefits.

What concerns the public is not the positive outcomes of Flock cameras, but a breach of privacy on a federal level. Mrs. Katy Salzman, former UN member and current social studies teacher, insists on understanding global context before deciding on a side. “[Students] should also know their rights, pay attention to how this technology is used, and ask questions about who has access to this information, how long it’s kept, and what it can be used for,” says Salzman, when discussing appropriate student fear of Flock cameras.

Politically divided Americans express disapproval for the ease of access to records of citizens’ monthly whereabouts. At the moment, most of the police force can access Flock camera networks and run searches without clearance from a higher authority. Despite growing domestic worry, many Americans also express concern about the possibility of organizations or other countries accessing the databases.

Law enforcement remains on a mission to install Flock cameras across the country, but states have a right to remove public use cameras. However, they do not have the right to remove Flock cameras from private properties, such as Home Owners Associations, business centers or retail centers.

Salzman reports the same worry of not knowing where the records are going and who they’re being accessed by. Having lived in Switzerland where Flock cameras have been used for far longer, Salzman says, “the U.S. [use of Flock cameras] might be different than others in that our country’s Constitution and laws are rooted in protecting individual liberties and American citizens are not used to being extensively surveilled.”

In every argument for or against the use of Flock cameras in the United States, the constitutional right to privacy is a consistent point of justification.

In Valley County, Nebraska, the people voted to remove all Flock cameras from the area. They excluded six cameras, saying they are wary but still willing to see if it will help the general public, police and traffic concerns. 

Sheriff David Sheideler reports ongoing investigation using Flock cameras relating to drug trafficking, but no proof that the cameras are helping investigations has been reported.

Despite lack of approval, Flock Safety’s website highlights cases in which surveillance cameras have helped the public on their website. Four cases the Flock system has helped solve are listed, including one about a large catalytic converter crime ring being shut down. They claim the 2022 influx in catalytic converter robberies was caught by Flock technology, leading police to find the organized trading ring of stolen car parts. 

Even as Flock cameras spread across America and people talk about the advantages and disadvantages of Flock technology and installment, facts and statistics about Flock camera use are still being studied and published. There have been no federal moves to shut down the use of Flock cameras, and federal legislation is actively being proposed as the use of surveillance cameras becomes more commonplace.