Episode Details

The mass proliferation of Flock cameras and other means of state spying has slowly inaugurated an era characterized by the most dense concentration of surveillance experienced in human history. Over the past two decades the US has witnessed the development of an integrated public-private surveillance apparatus where the outputs of dozens of integrated private surveillance tools are allowed to be cross-referenced using AI facilitated analysis.

In this episode we speak with Joan and Jeff about the proliferation of Flock systems, their roll in a growing mass surveillance apparatus, some of the actions that are being taken to fight back, and how to support those that have fallen into the clutches of the state. We review the growth of the police in the US from their origins in slave patrols and private police agencies to today, where they are a force tens of thousands strong, with military capabilities, and their hands on a mass privatized surveillance apparatus. Finally we discuss the role direct action can play in public campaigns against Flock and other surveillance systems.

A fundraiser is active to support two comrades who were sentenced to months in jail for being accused of destroying multiple flock cameras. The fundraiser is going toward restitution, court fees, lawyer fees, commissary, postage and writing supplies, medical fees, phone time, etc., and a cushion for recovering from jail and solitary confinement when they are released. 

To donate, venmo @deez_zines. If you donate $20+ and want a thank you gift, send proof of donation and an address to deez_zines@tutamail.com. Any amount helps. Thank you!

Resources:

https://haveibeenflocked.com/ - See if a license plate turned up in FOIA'd documents regarding flock

https://www.atlasofsurveillance.org/ - Reference of what surveillance technologies different police departments have

https://deflock.org/ - Community-sourced map of flock cameras, flock-avoiding navigation

https://colonelpanic.tech/ - OUI Spy device may help find flock cameras, a bit technical. (source code: https://github.com/colonelpanichacks/oui-spy)

https://www.notrace.how/ - Database of security resources, a threat library, and more! Visit on a public-access computer/using tails https://tails.net/

Birds of a Feather Destroy Flock Together - Zine on Flock cameras https://www.sproutdistro.com/catalog/zines/direct-action/birds-feather-flock/

News Articles Mentioned

https://www.404media.co/home-depot-and-lowes-share-data-from-hundreds-of-ai-cameras-with-cops/

https://www.daytondailynews.com/local/morning-briefing-dayton-releases-flock-camera-data/article_494658d4-c8a7-5eb8-91b9-517238b894c7.html

https://www.fox21online.com/news/political/ashland-police-department-to-remove-flock-cameras-from-city/article_794afeda-e1e4-4762-84c0-3952d291204c.html

https://www.404media.co/footage-shows-cop-stalking-woman-he-met-on-a-tv-set-after-surveilling-her-with-a-license-plate-reader/