Benn Jordan on Flock, privacy, and the new surveillance backlash

Flock Safety's Role

Benn Jordan, a musician and YouTuber, has emerged as a significant figure in the public discourse surrounding surveillance technology, particularly Flock Safety's automatic license plate readers (ALPRs). While Flock has faced considerable backlash, including contract cancellations and government investigations, Jordan's perspective is nuanced. He doesn't necessarily view Flock as an inherently malicious entity but rather as a low-hanging fruit due to its public posture towards critics. This approach has made Flock a focal point, drawing attention to the broader issues of surveillance overreach.

Jordan's work involves not just public criticism but also direct engagement with companies like Flock, including reporting security vulnerabilities. This strategy is part of his broader goal to advocate for tangible solutions to surveillance overreach, rather than simply targeting a single company. He emphasizes that Flock and similar companies are symptoms of a larger problem: the interconnectedness of private industry, government, and law enforcement, which often prioritizes secrecy over transparency.

The Surveillance State

The core of Jordan's concern lies in the expansion of surveillance networks without explicit public consent or democratic oversight. He points out that citizens did not vote for ubiquitous camera networks on their streets, nor were they consulted about granting law enforcement access to this data. This lack of transparency and public input is a recurring theme in his investigations, highlighting a systemic issue where technological advancements in surveillance outpace public understanding and regulatory frameworks.

His research, often shared on YouTube and in collaboration with other researchers, civil rights groups, and journalists, serves as an accountability function. By bringing these issues to the forefront, Jordan aims to force a broader conversation about the implications of pervasive surveillance on privacy and civil liberties. The recent Senate hearing he testified at underscores the growing bipartisan concern about these technologies and their deployment.

Transparency and Accountability

Jordan's investigative efforts are driven by a desire for greater transparency and accountability in the deployment of surveillance technologies. He argues that the government has, in many instances, failed to adequately scrutinize or regulate these systems, allowing private companies to profit from taxpayer money through contracts that expand surveillance capabilities. This dynamic creates an environment where the public's right to privacy is increasingly eroded.

The focus, according to Jordan, should shift from demonizing individual companies to addressing the systemic issues of secrecy and the prioritization of surveillance infrastructure. His work aims to empower the public with information, fostering a more informed debate and demanding greater accountability from both the companies providing surveillance technology and the government agencies utilizing it.