this post was submitted on 05 Aug 2026
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deflock.me

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Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs) are AI-powered cameras that capture and analyze images of all passing vehicles, storing details like your car’s location, date, and time. They also capture your car’s make, model, color, and identifying features such as dents, roof racks, and bumper stickers, often turning these into searchable data points. These cameras collect data on millions of vehicles—regardless of whether the driver is suspected of a crime. While these systems can be useful for tracking stolen cars or wanted individuals, they are mostly used to track the movements of innocent people.

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[–] aramis87@fedia.io 41 points 2 months ago (2 children)

A. That's what insurance is for.

B. Nice of them to publish the locations they consider most valuable to Flock.

C. Expect heightened surveillance and tracking chips on and replacement cameras.

[–] Whostosay@sh.itjust.works 22 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 children)

D. They do not fucking cost 3k. They do not cost more than 40 bucks for flock. They're cheap and extremely destructible. The city pays 3k, you pay 3k, you pay more than that with your freedom and privacy.

If your city is so intent on fucking that up, bankrupt them. Make them pay the 3k per unit as many times as you can. Use the deflock map, they're always pointing toward the road(s), go behind and cut them down. Or use a long distance spray paint nozzle, high powered laser, weaponized meth head or whatever.

Who cares what they cost, they will cost you your life if you wait long enough.

[–] RaphaelSchmitz@feddit.org 3 points 2 months ago (1 children)

It says "...and pole", and although I have no experience with such construction, I can imagine a, like, street sign kinda, solidly installed pole being the bigger part of the cost.

[–] Whostosay@sh.itjust.works 1 points 2 months ago

Yes if these were installed correctly like that the cost would go up, but these aren't. Most can be wiggled out of the ground

[–] justOnePersistentKbinPlease@fedia.io 17 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Its kind of amusing how big media companies spent 3 decades ingraining everyone into gang concepts like "snitches get stiches" but then cry for public help when their dystopian camera network gets taken out.

[–] Jankatarch@lemmy.world 6 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

"No, you are only supposed to be covert if you are our employees!!"

[–] Olgratin_Magmatoe@slrpnk.net 13 points 2 months ago

Oh no... how horrible... I really hope this doesn't continue

[–] SW42@lemmy.world 11 points 2 months ago

Oh no! Anyway…

[–] pammyfromthesticks@mander.xyz 6 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Welp we just riding on debt and brutality.... fuck it... 🎶who fucking cares not me🎶

Missiles worth $40 million a shot rack up America's Iran war costs

Yup. The American Empire is over the day the world stops buying dollars.

[–] GaMEChld@lemmy.world 5 points 2 months ago (3 children)

Don't sufficiently powerful lasers permanently damage cameras like that?

[–] VitoRobles@lemmy.today 6 points 2 months ago

A watched a YouTube a while back that it was debunked. Consumer grade lasers cannot do it. Unless you're willing to shell hundreds of bucks and shoot it from a battery pack, it might be easier to accidentally take one down with a hand saw.

No. People tested and you have to get 3 Watt laser and keep it in the sensor from a tripod really close for any pixels to get fried.

[–] bluetoofs@piefed.social 2 points 2 months ago

A good quality consumer laser pointer will fuck up a DSLR or mirrorless camera sensor, so that would make sense.

[–] Kolanaki@pawb.social 2 points 2 months ago (2 children)

I'll sell them back to Flock after taking them for half that. But not before putting a virus on it capable of infecting their whole network if they ever use it again.

[–] Whostosay@sh.itjust.works 1 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Lmao, you can do all that for free right now.

[–] Kolanaki@pawb.social 1 points 2 months ago

But I want them to pay me.

[–] Mojitas@lemmy.world 1 points 2 months ago (1 children)

This is a good idea. Someone should take them apart and point out the vulnerabilities.

[–] 0x0@lemmy.zip 1 points 2 months ago

Benn Jordan did.

[–] Akasazh@lemmy.world 2 points 2 months ago (1 children)

This makes the company money and costs the taxpayer.

[–] Saledovil@sh.itjust.works 4 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Eh, everything the government does costs the taxpayer.

[–] Knoxvomica@lemmy.ca 6 points 2 months ago

Sure, but running a bus system moves people and provides transportation. Monitoring people with cameras is purely a cost.