Expansion of Surveillance Technology Raises Concerns

Automotive expert Lauren Fix recently discussed the evolution of license plate tracking into a broader surveillance effort. During her appearance on “Stu and Dave Do America,” she expressed her concerns about the ongoing and rapid advancement of this technology.

“You might have heard about Flock cameras. But why are they called ‘flocks’? That’s the first question that comes to my mind. Are we considered a flock?” she questions, quipping back, “Oh, absolutely. We are the sheep, and somehow, the sheep are in charge.”

She details the expansive capabilities of these cameras: “They’re meant to monitor license plates, but it goes way beyond that. They capture images of the entire vehicle, its bumper stickers, and even the various characteristics—like dents or scratches—as you drive around. Does the car have a cargo container? A bike rack? All of it is being recorded.”

She emphasizes that this surveillance isn’t limited to just one or two locations. “These cameras are everywhere—at every intersection,” she points out.

American citizens appear increasingly uneasy about this heightened surveillance. Fix describes a peculiar incident: “There was this guy arrested for simply sitting in a lounge chair. He had a folding chair, propped it up in front of a camera, and added a cardboard sign. He got charged with obstruction of justice. Ridiculous, right?” It’s a misdemeanor, but still noteworthy, she adds. “So, really, what’s the need for all these cameras on the roads?”

However, the presence of these devices isn’t confined to roadways. “You can find them in parks, schools, hardware stores, and even FedEx trucks. Plus, they are now being integrated into 400,000 school buses aimed at catching those who illegally bypass them while kids are getting on or off,” she clarifies.

She continues, “The cameras are supposed to snap photos of violators and issue tickets. Ironically, families with children waiting for the bus are captured in these images too.”

“And the plot thickens—cities like Los Angeles are receiving complaints about Flock cameras. In response, they’ve decided to cut their contract. They’re looking to partner with another firm, Axon,” she reveals.

According to Fix, Axon’s technology poses even greater concerns. “They’re making Flock cameras look like child’s play at this point,” she warns. “Axon is elevating the surveillance game, planning to install cameras on every light pole. No permits? No requirements? Just cameras everywhere, on every street. That’s around 450 million poles globally,” she elaborates.

Furthermore, she suggests that this surveillance may connect to new vehicle technologies, like “kill switches.” “These dots are undeniably connected. Honestly, who can be content with this?” she concludes.