this post was submitted on 21 Jun 2026
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Flock, the automatic license plate reader (ALPR) company, exposed some of the license plate cops were looking for and the reason for doing so.

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[–] artyom@piefed.social 56 points 2 hours ago

Im shocked that the company who was openly broadcasting live feeds to the public internet also exposed the details of searches!

[–] IAmYouButYouDontKnowYet@reddthat.com 54 points 2 hours ago (1 children)

Remember it's not just a license plate reader. There should be a law against calling it that.

[–] pelespirit@sh.itjust.works 8 points 1 hour ago (2 children)

Could you explain what you mean further?

[–] Dojan@pawb.social 32 points 59 minutes ago

They're little computers with cameras that capture everything. I think some of these types of devices run Android. Many are very poorly secured, like the article suggests. A "license plate reader" sounds like it only reads license plates, these are surveillance platforms, with cameras and microphones. They can be accessed remotely to do more than just read a license plate.

I'm thinking the person says that couching it as a license plate reader is disingenuous, because it doesn't really convey the gravity of what the devices are capable of.

[–] extremeboredom@lemmy.world 17 points 54 minutes ago (1 children)

It uses machine learning algorithms to identify vehicles independently of the license plate. Leaked documentation has also shown they operate facial recognition tech, in direct contradiction to the lies they tell the public. Flock is fundamentally an evil company, delivering the infrastructure for totalitarian rule, wrapped in the alluring false promise of eliminating crime. They know exactly what they are doing, which is why they are so heartily embraced by fascists in government, from the top all the way down.

[–] snausagesinablanket@lemmy.world 3 points 20 minutes ago (1 children)

So the people that like these don't mind their own privacy being invaded? Perhaps they already know if caught doing something they will get a free pass?

[–] extremeboredom@lemmy.world 2 points 6 minutes ago

Generally the ones putting them in are on the side of the system that gets a free pass wherever they go. And the majority of the public that allows it to happen fall for the "nothing to hide, nothing to fear" fallacy.