What happened at TechCrunch Disrupt?
KION Central Coast reported that protesters gathered outside TechCrunch Disrupt in San Francisco on Tuesday to challenge the growing use of Flock Safety's license plate-reading technology. The story is a KPIX report from CBS Bay Area, and the demonstration coincided with a talk by Garrett Langley, Flock's co-founder and CEO, at the Moscone Center.
The protesters raised three concerns. Flock's cameras capture plates and location data that police can use in investigations. Critics warn that the same data could be used to track immigrants, people seeking abortions outside their home states, and survivors fleeing abusive partners.
Who spoke against Flock, and what does Flock say?
Reem Suleiman, an organizer with the digital rights group Fight for the Future, held a sign reading 'Flock=ICE.' She argued that the technology could expose sensitive information about people's movements. Suleiman said, 'They leave the back-door open with the feds by not taking our privacy seriously.'
Ashley Ortiz of The Wolves said she fears the cameras could put domestic violence survivors at risk. Manny, an organizer with Deflock San Francisco, argued that linked surveillance systems create wider risks when agencies share data.
Flock did not respond to a request for an on-camera interview. KPIX reports that the company says it has no contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and that ICE cannot directly access its cameras or customer data. Langley denied that Flock helps authorities target people seeking abortions. The company says its safeguards are designed to prevent misuse.
Does this change anything for drivers?
The report does not say that any city has ended a Flock contract or turned off cameras. San Francisco has approved Flock cameras for public safety, and KPIX doesn't say whether that approval will change.
Cameras run by a neighboring city, the county, the state, a business or an HOA stay where they are. The report doesn't say what happens to San Francisco's cameras if the city changes course.
What questions should residents ask?
- Which agency operates the cameras near you, and does it share data with other agencies?
- Who can search the data, and how long is it kept?
- Do the agency's published records show how searches are audited?
Start with the camera map to see where cameras are listed near you. For background, read how plate readers work. Local agencies' transparency records are collected on the agencies page.
What happens next?
Suleiman said she hopes the demonstration will push local lawmakers to change how they approach surveillance technology. KPIX doesn't report a council meeting, vote or deadline on San Francisco's Flock use, so the report schedules no next step.