Surveillance startup Flock announced new policies and tools, including a recommendation to cut data retention to seven days and making its Audit Assistance tool mandatory by year's end, amid skepticism from privacy experts.
Cybersecurity professional Bill Swearingen developed noRecognition, a reinforcement learning project that generates patterns to block surveillance cameras and license plate readers from detecting people and vehicles.
Steve Eimers, known as “The Guardrail Guy,” halted his advocacy on automatic license plate readers (ALPRs) after cameras he highlighted for safety concerns were vandalized. This decision followed an arrest in Tennessee for felony vandalism of four ALPRs, with Eimers expressing dismay over public support for the alleged perpetrator.
Safety advocates, led by Steve Eimers, claim Flock Safety's ALPR cameras pose roadside hazards due to improper installation, lack of breakaway features, and non-compliance with Ohio DOT and Federal Highway Administration standards, increasing collision risks for drivers.
The FBI plans to purchase nationwide access to a network of license plate readers, seeking near real-time data from cameras across the US. The proposed contract, potentially worth $36 million, aims to enhance threat assessment and tracking capabilities for law enforcement.
