• Flock contracts have quietly spread to cities across the country. • But Flock ALPR (Automated License Plate Readers) erode civil liberties from the moment they’re installed. • While officials claim these cameras keep neighborhoods safe, the evidence tells a different story. • The data reveals how Flock has enabled surveillance of people seeking abortions, protesters exercising First Amendment rights, and communities targeted by discriminatory policing. • This is exactly why cities are saying no. • From Austin to Cambridge to small towns across Texas, jurisdictions are rejecting Flock contracts altogether, proving that surveillance isn’t inevitable-it’s a choice.
Article Summaries:
- The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) will host a live‑streamed panel on February 19 from 12:00‑1:00 PM PT titled “EFFecting Change: Get the Flock Out of Our City.” The discussion will examine the spread of Flock Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) contracts in U.S. cities and their impact on civil liberties, citing data that links the technology to surveillance of abortion seekers, protestors, and communities targeted by discriminatory policing. EFF representatives Sarah Hamid and Andrew Crocker will join activists from Fight for the Future and the Rural Privacy Coalition to review legal implications, successful campaigns that halted Flock deployments, and broader privacy concerns. The event is free, live‑captioned, and will include a Q&A.
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