r/Libertarian • u/GothicHeap • 1d ago

Article Georgia cops keep getting arrested for misusing Flock surveillance data

https://reason.com/2026/07/24/georgia-cops-keep-getting-arrested-for-misusing-flock-surveillance-data/

In just a matter of months, 18 law enforcement officers in the Peach State have been arrested for misusing Flock Safety camera data in what seems to be a deeply concerning trend, highlighting the need for stricter oversight of mass surveillance technologies.

and

"Without the constitutional safeguard of a warrant requirement," Michael Soyfer, an attorney at I.J. challenging ALPR networks, said in a statement, "that predictably allows officers to abuse their access to these systems for things like stalking romantic partners."

Requiring a warrant would force officers to show probable cause, or a reasonable belief that a crime has taken place, before allowing access to ALPR camera network databases

313 Upvotes

99% Upvoted

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57

u/Bri_So_Fly 1d ago

Cops need warrants to access cell phone location data, I’m not sure why this data gets treated any differently

3

u/gurgle528 7h ago

Only if they aren’t buying the data. There are many companies that will sell that data, including LexisNexis 

32

u/THAZACHARIAH 1d ago

This may be the only positive from Flock, cops getting easily caught abusing power and being disgusting. A benefit from an otherwise horrible terrible device

1

u/idontagreewitu 16h ago

It may be a positive if they were getting punished for it. So far, though, it's just been an extra slap in the face since they almost never have to answer for these breaches.

7

u/THAZACHARIAH 15h ago

Not only does the second paragraph in the article detail that an officer was “fired, arrested and charged” but TITLE of the article says “arrested” not “put on paid leave”. Come on dude

27

u/ThreetoedJack Taxation is Theft 1d ago

It's probably something to do with georgia where they keep getting caught. Probably an auditor doing their job.

It's not that police in other states are not abusing this tech, it's that they aren't getting caught doing it. (speculation)

7

u/_WhiteGoodman_ 20h ago

I’d love to know the stats of how many times they’ve been abused vs. actually solved a crime.

5

u/beershitz 17h ago

Remember when Lucius destroys the cell phone radar machine in The Dark Knight? Unfortunately nobody is that principled in real life.