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Posted by chaps 21 hours ago

Flock Exposed Its AI-Powered Cameras to the Internet. We Tracked Ourselves(www.404media.co)
Archive Link: https://archive.ph/IWMKe

Also: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vU1-uiUlHTo – This Flock Camera Leak is like Netflix For Stalkers

632 points | 412 commentspage 5
tonymet 19 hours ago|
I’m baffled by the state of law enforcement. On one hand we are spending loads on surveillance, but on the other we refuse to enforce violent, property & drugs-abuse crimes. Gross violent offenders are being allowed to walk. So what is the point of all the CCTV ?

As major investors in Flock, being aware of the long term law enforcement strategy, I’m guessing ycombinator can comment on what all of this investment is for.

fzeroracer 18 hours ago|
The surveillance state is there to benefit the rich and wealthy whom not only wield disproportionate power but are increasingly scared of their own shadow. The rest of us get nothing but crickets if we ask the police to do anything.
tonymet 18 hours ago||
It’s a nice theory but still doesn’t explain why the laws aren’t being enforced. Presumably these rich, powerful and paranoid also control the AG’s and judges. Why aren’t they locking these people up?
fzeroracer 18 hours ago||
Because it doesn't affect them directly, it's really that simple. Look at how quickly the entire media and police apparatus mobilized when Brian Thompson was killed.
neogodless 19 hours ago||
Related:

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46356182 Benn Jordan – This Flock Camera Leak Is Like Netflix for Stalkers [video] (youtube.com)

dang 16 hours ago|
We merged that thread into this one.

(Edit: and put that video's link in the toptext above.)

EcommerceFlow 19 hours ago||
[flagged]
huflungdung 20 hours ago||
Oh no. Someone can view cctv data and delete it. Always blown out of proportion. The likelihood of someone a) committing a crime or otherwise b) knowing there was this specific brand of camera software being run on a camera in that area c) knowing how to access these portals

Is basically zero.

cm2187 19 hours ago||
[flagged]
fecal_henge 19 hours ago||
Am I right to understand that all those cams are pointed to the street / public places?

- I think you would be wrong to understand that. How on earth did you reach that conclusion?

But how is that different from the thousands of live cams over youtube or the wider internet? Or the poorly secured CCTV watching every angle of any street in most big cities.

- More than one thing can be wrong at once. Requires nuanced thought I accept.

The author then uses face search engines to find personal information on the individuals. That is the creepy part.

- I think he is demonstrating the creepy opportinities. Did he share any of that information? I think anyone with bad intent probably probably not make a video explaining what they did.

cm2187 19 hours ago||
> - I think you would be wrong to understand that. How on earth did you reach that conclusion?

from the video only showing cams of public places (parking lots, parks and streets). And also it seems that this is how Flock markets itself on its website.

> - I think he is demonstrating the creepy opportinities. Did he share any of that information? I think anyone with bad intent probably probably not make a video explaining what they did.

I am not saying the author is creepy, I am saying face search engines and personal information available publicly are creepy. But nothing to do with Flock.

bakies 13 hours ago|||
Being on the Internet makes these cameras not CCTV. The circuit should close on the property they're located.
SamInTheShell 19 hours ago||
You miss the point. This is a law enforcement tool. The average American doesn’t want a surveillance state and that’s literally what’s happening. The legal aspect of it is not in question here.

Just because something is legal doesn’t make it right. Anyone deploying or involved with this technology should be embarrassed and ashamed of themselves.

cm2187 19 hours ago||
That's not the point the video makes. Flock didn't invent CCTV. Not that I am trying to defend mass surveillance or incompetent silicon valley companies.
goda90 19 hours ago||
Flock "invented" CCTV in the USA that doesn't requiring going to multiple locations and asking for their tapes in order to track someone across locations.
15155 11 hours ago||
I mean - no, they didn't, Ring existed long before Flock (but has since removed the police "request everything in the area" feature.)

Flock just brought this to the public right-of-way.

chzblck 18 hours ago|
People who complain about flock should have to list how many crimes are in their zip code to be taken serious.
class3shock 11 hours ago||
People who demand others sacrifice their privacy to allow a private company to collect unlimited data on public spaces, to be used, sold, and profited off of as they see fit, with no oversight or constraints, should not be taken seriously.
canyp 12 hours ago||
Right, because cameras exposed to public Internet access without authentication cannot at all be used to aid in crime.

You must have very little imagination to not see the irony of your own comment.