Austin Powers Down: Community Victory Ends Creepy Surveillance Contract
Austin organizers gave Flock Safety the boot, ending the city’s controversial contract with their license plate readers. This victory shows what happens when communities band together against creepy surveillance systems. But don’t pop the champagne yet—Austin’s still got Axon on speed dial for their ALPR needs. Keep those torches lit, folks!
Hot Take:
Well, it looks like the folks in Austin have decided that Big Brother doesn’t need to know every time they go on a taco run. The city’s decision to kick Flock Safety’s surveillance tech to the curb is not only a win for privacy advocates but also a reminder that sometimes, the little guy with the “No ALPRs” sign can still make a big difference. So, kudos to Austin for sticking it to the man—and to Flock Safety, better luck next time trying to get your peeping Tom tech into a city without a spine.
Key Points:
- The Austin City Council decided not to renew a controversial contract with Flock Safety, ending the use of automated license plate readers (ALPRs) in the city.
- Community groups, including EFF-Austin, successfully rallied against the contract renewal.
- An audit revealed over 20% of ALPR database searches were improperly documented, violating department policy.
- Concerns were raised about data misuse, especially against marginalized groups like immigrants and abortion seekers.
- This victory is part of a broader movement against local surveillance across the country.