Section

Privacy

Data protection, surveillance, encryption

Washington Examiner

Nevada Legislators Propose Bill for Oversight of Flock Cameras

Nevada lawmakers are proposing a bill to increase oversight of Flock cameras, which are automatic license plate readers. The bill aims to require agencies to adopt written policies, train users, and undergo independent audits. This initiative follows similar efforts in other states addressing privacy concerns related to the use of such technology.

Bias: 4 Sentiment: +0.00
TechCrunch

Meta's $18 Billion Settlement Includes Provision on Children's Data

Meta has settled with attorneys general from 29 states, agreeing to pay up to $18 billion and implement child safety measures. A key provision allows states to refrain from suing Meta under child safety laws regarding the use of children's data for training its age-assurance model, which must be developed within a year. The settlement includes monitoring by an independent auditor to ensure compliance.

Bias: 4 Sentiment: +0.00
Fox News — Latest

Senator Hawley Questions Flock Safety's Surveillance Network Amid Privacy Concerns

Senator Josh Hawley is investigating Flock Safety's network of AI-powered cameras amid rising privacy concerns, as several cities, including Pflugerville, Texas, and Tempe, Arizona, terminate their contracts with the company. Hawley emphasizes the need for transparency regarding data access and calls for judicial oversight on police searches of individuals' movements. The scrutiny comes as communities reassess their relationships with surveillance technology.

Bias: 33 Sentiment: +0.00
Fox News — Politics

Sen. Hawley Questions Flock Safety's Surveillance Network Amid Privacy Concerns

Senator Josh Hawley is investigating Flock Safety's network of AI-powered cameras amid privacy concerns as various cities, including Pflugerville and Tempe, terminate their contracts with the company. Hawley and privacy advocates argue for stronger regulations and warrant requirements for police access to surveillance data, highlighting the need for a balance between public safety and individual privacy rights.

Bias: 33 Sentiment: -0.10
The Hill

Cities terminate contracts with Flock Safety over privacy concerns

Two suburbs in Phoenix, Arizona, have ended their contracts with Flock Safety, a provider of automated license plate readers, amid rising privacy concerns. Tempe, which had an $80,000 contract, announced it would deactivate its Flock cameras.

Bias: 4 Sentiment: -0.10
futurism.com

Designer Creates Shirt to Confuse AI Surveillance Systems

Simon Weckert, a German designer, has developed a shirt that aims to confuse AI surveillance systems by using a chaotic blend of colors and patterns. The design is based on the premise that AI systems struggle to identify humans due to their reliance on statistical representations. Weckert previously gained attention for creating fake traffic jams using smartphones.

Bias: 4 Sentiment: +0.00
Washington Examiner

Senator Hawley Investigates Flock Safety's Surveillance Practices

Senator Josh Hawley has initiated an investigation into Flock Safety's surveillance practices following concerns about its automatic license plate readers. In a letter to Flock's CEO, Hawley raised issues regarding data collection, privacy, and instances of misuse by law enforcement. He has requested a response from Flock by September 8 regarding its data policies.

Bias: 30 Sentiment: +0.00
Daily Mail

Private Schools Implement Ban on Meta Glasses Due to Privacy Concerns

Private schools in the UK, including Haberdashers' Boys' School and Woodbridge School, have banned Meta glasses due to concerns over privacy and bullying. The glasses, which contain cameras, have faced criticism for their potential to invade privacy. Other institutions, including universities and businesses, have also implemented similar bans.

Bias: 30 Sentiment: +0.00
Ars Technica

AliExpress Accused of Fingerprinting Users via Inaudible Sounds

AliExpress has been accused of using inaudible sounds to fingerprint users, impacting a researcher's Bluetooth headphones. Researcher Matthew Callaghan discovered that audio from his phone stopped when accessing the site, leading to the identification of scripts that analyzed browser audio readings.

Bias: 4 Sentiment: +0.00
Fox News — Latest

Flock Safety CEO discusses privacy and safety concerns amid camera vandalism

Flock Safety CEO Garrett Langley addressed concerns about privacy and safety regarding neighborhood surveillance cameras in an interview with Fox News. He highlighted public pushback, including vandalism and protests, and called for a compromise between safety and privacy. Langley also emphasized the need for better regulation and accountability in the use of surveillance technology.

Bias: 33 Sentiment: +0.10
BBC — World

TikTok to pay $400 million in child privacy settlement

TikTok will pay $400 million to settle a lawsuit alleging that it collected significant amounts of data from users under 13 years old. The lawsuit was filed in 2024 and involves the company's parent organization, ByteDance.

Bias: 4 Sentiment: +0.00
Mother Jones

Flock Safety Faces Backlash Amid Job Losses and Contract Cancellations

Flock Safety is experiencing significant backlash, with at least 34 contracts canceled and numerous police officers facing job losses due to misuse of its surveillance technology. The company is attempting to reframe the narrative by emphasizing its auditing capabilities, but critics argue that it fails to address serious privacy concerns.

Bias: 4 Sentiment: -0.20
Ars Technica

Wisconsin Cities Withdraw from Flock's License Plate Camera Network

Multiple Wisconsin cities are terminating their agreements with Flock's automated license plate camera system over privacy concerns. This withdrawal is impacting the overall functionality of the network, particularly noted in Dane County, which has ceased funding for the cameras.

Bias: 4 Sentiment: -0.10
Daily Wire

Flock Safety Introduces New Privacy Protocols for Surveillance Cameras

Flock Safety has announced new privacy protocols for its surveillance cameras, aimed at addressing growing concerns about privacy and misuse. Changes include limiting data access for law enforcement agencies and reducing data retention from 30 days to one week. Critics remain skeptical, calling for legislative changes to effectively regulate surveillance technology.

Bias: 4 Sentiment: +0.00
apnews.com

Flock Safety Implements Changes to License Plate Reader System Amid Privacy Concerns

Flock Safety announced changes to its license plate reader system on August 14, 2026, in response to privacy concerns from lawmakers and civil liberties advocates. The updates include mandatory safeguards for law enforcement users and a reduction in data retention time. Critics remain skeptical about the effectiveness of these changes, with over 50 agencies having canceled contracts with Flock amid growing backlash against the technology.

Bias: 14 Sentiment: +0.00
Mother Jones

Flock Announces Changes to License Plate Reader Access Following Controversy

Flock announced on August 13, 2026, that it will limit access to its automatic license plate readers following reports of misuse by police. The company introduced several policy updates aimed at improving privacy and accountability, but organizations like the ACLU criticized these changes as inadequate.

Bias: 14 Sentiment: -0.10
Washington Examiner

Three former Georgia police officers charged with misuse of surveillance technology

Three former police officers in Macon, Georgia, have been arrested for allegedly misusing Flock cameras for personal tracking while in uniform. They face multiple charges, including stalking and violation of public officer oath. The investigation was initiated after Flock reported potential misuse, leading to an internal audit by the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office.

Bias: 4 Sentiment: +0.00