Benn Jordan on Flock, Privacy, and the Surveillance Backlash
Investigative creator Benn Jordan discusses the growing public resistance against automated license plate reader surveillance.
1The Rise of Surveillance
Benn Jordan, a musician and investigative researcher, has become a prominent voice against Flock Safety’s surveillance technology. His work highlights how automatic license plate readers (ALPRs) are proliferating in local communities. Jordan’s investigations recently led him to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee regarding the privacy implications of these widespread camera networks.
2Flock Safety's Market Position
Flock Safety has faced significant backlash, resulting in hundreds of local government contract cancellations. The company is currently under investigation by Senator Josh Hawley and reportedly plans to cut 18 percent of its workforce. This fallout reflects a growing bipartisan concern regarding the unchecked expansion of private surveillance infrastructure in public spaces.
3The Failure of PR
Jordan argues that Flock’s defensive communication strategy, led by CEO Garrett Langley, was a major failure. By labeling critics as extremists, the company made itself a target for public scrutiny. Meanwhile, larger competitors like Axon and Motorola have avoided similar backlash by maintaining a low profile and operating as anonymous government contractors.
4Democracy in Action
The resistance against surveillance is driving citizens to engage more deeply with local politics. Residents are now attending town hall meetings to challenge mayors and city councils on their security policies. In places like Asheville, North Carolina, this dissatisfaction is actively reshaping the political landscape and influencing upcoming mayoral election outcomes.
5The Inability to Opt-Out
A core issue driving public anger is the inability to opt out of surveillance. Unlike consumer technology where users can choose to avoid specific devices, these cameras track citizens automatically without consent. Residents are essentially paying for their own surveillance through property taxes, with no mechanism to reject the deployment of these systems.
6Beyond the Buzzword
While Flock has become the primary target, Jordan warns that focusing solely on one company is insufficient. Many politicians who publicly denounce Flock still sign contracts with other providers like Verkada or Motorola. The real problem lies in the opaque relationship between private industry and law enforcement that prioritizes secrecy over public transparency.
7Investigative Methodology
Jordan’s transition from musician to investigator began when he noticed the high density of cameras in Atlanta. He applies a hacker’s mindset to deconstruct products, identifying security vulnerabilities and questioning the necessity of services. His approach focuses on exposing the lack of government oversight regarding how taxpayer money funds these private surveillance networks.
8Historical Context of ALPRs
Automatic license plate readers have existed since the 1970s and gained traction in the United States during the late 1980s. While the hardware is not new, the modern integration of AI and interconnected databases creates a more dangerous surveillance environment. This evolution allows for the mass tracking and de-anonymization of individuals at scale.
9Accountability and Outreach
Jordan maintains a direct line of communication with Flock’s leadership, reporting security vulnerabilities as he discovers them. He views this as an olive branch intended to foster tangible solutions rather than a crusade to destroy a single entity. His goal is to force a broader conversation about the ethics of surveillance overreach.
10The Surveillance Debate
The current climate mirrors the pushback seen against AI data centers, where citizens are questioning the impact of infrastructure on their daily lives. Jordan notes that while the Patriot Act sparked debates twenty-five years ago, the current ubiquity of recording devices makes the issue feel more immediate and inescapable for the average person.
11The Role of Transparency
The fundamental issue remains the lack of public consent regarding the installation of insecure camera networks on street corners. Jordan emphasizes that citizens were never asked if they were comfortable with police officers having access to this data. His work serves as an accountability function to bring these hidden practices into public view.
12Future of Local Oversight
The shift in public sentiment proves that local political involvement is the most effective tool for change. As surveillance companies continue to seek government contracts, the pressure from informed citizens remains the primary check on power. The ongoing debate highlights the necessity for greater transparency in how law enforcement utilizes private technology.
Original article: The Verge — Benn Jordan on Flock, Privacy, and the Surveillance Backlash