2025 Surveillance Saga: When Protests Meet Big Brother’s ALPR Gaze
In 2025, protests filled the streets, while Flock Safety’s automated license plate readers filled the databases. From “No Kings” to animal rights, law enforcement tracked vehicles nationwide, often justifying searches with a single word: “protest.” In this digital age, Big Brother isn’t just watching; he’s taking notes on your road trips.
Hot Take:
Looks like Big Brother has a new hobby: birdwatching with Flock Safety’s ALPRs! Who knew that cameras meant for traffic violations would become the latest accessory in the police fashion line for monitoring protests? Just remember, next time you’re heading out to protest, your car might be the star of its own reality TV show!
Key Points:
– Flock Safety’s ALPRs have been used extensively by law enforcement to monitor protest activities across the U.S.
– Over 50 federal, state, and local agencies conducted searches on Flock’s network related to protests.
– The system captures detailed vehicle information, including license plates and vehicle characteristics, storing it in a searchable database.
– Civil liberties groups argue for search warrants to be mandatory for such data searches, but often just a word like “protest” suffices.
– Surveillance extends beyond political protests, targeting specific activist groups like animal rights organization DxE.