State of the Day

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Welcome to State of the Day,

Six cameras, a community college, and a battle for privacy,

Flock’s Six Camera Surveillance Standoff

Keep the money. Take the cameras.

That was the proposal from Elgin Community College to Flock Safety after deciding they no longer wanted the six surveillance cameras on campus. But Flock wasn’t having it.

The company insisted that they had not breached their contract and rejected the college’s plea for removing the cameras. When the college offered to settle the remaining contract amount in exchange for the cameras’ removal, Flock’s reply was—well, nothing.

So, the college took an unusual step, covering the cameras with black trash bags secured by zip ties. Shortly after, unmarked vehicles appeared and removed the bags. The college responded by putting them back on. This back-and-forth kept occurring until the contract ran out.

But if it was just a financial matter, why did Flock refuse the offer?

They could have pocketed the cash and ended the saga, which is already concerning. Yet, the implications of this situation dig deeper.

They’re not merely selling cameras; they’re constructing a surveillance network. And more cameras equate to more data, enabling tracking of individuals’ movements and expanding the searchable information pool.

Elgin’s situation doesn’t clarify why Flock turned down the request or who was behind the bag removals.

But this really isn’t just about a few cameras at a college. It’s about the considerable power that comes from creating a surveillance environment from which communities find it hard to break free.

A Chinese finger trap of surveillance.

I’ve discussed before the risks of giving up our privacy in exchange for the allure of security. Flock’s cameras can essentially convert a regular day into a searchable record of where we go.

Participating law enforcement agencies can dive into that data without needing a warrant first, and there have been cases of misuse by officers who tracked individuals inappropriately. Even more concerning is that the technology is evolving beyond just scanning license plates—it’s now identifying extra vehicle features and picking up Bluetooth signals from devices inside cars.

For years, American politicians have sounded alarms about China’s extensive surveillance network, which allows the government to keep tabs on citizens on a massive scale. Meanwhile, here in the U.S., we are developing our own intricate surveillance system, all under the guise of public safety.

When do we decide enough is enough?

We should have clear visibility into what our communities are consenting to, who has access to the data gathered, and if there’s a way to withdraw consent.

If we usher surveillance into our communities but find we can’t get it to leave, then who is truly in control?

The next time someone reassures us that giving up just a bit more privacy will keep us safer, we must ask: What happens if we say no?

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From The Editors’ Desk

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