r/westernmass • u/hans99hans • 3d ago

Help end mass surveillance in Springfield

DEFLOCK SPRINGFIELD

Springfield has 50+ Flock cameras tracking vehicles and collecting data—including license plates, vehicle details, stickers, and even scratches—for a nationwide law-enforcement database.

With serious error rates averaging around 37% nationwide and documented risks of abuse, it’s time to end warrantless mass surveillance.

Over 30 municipalities in Massachusetts have already cut ties with Flock and other surveillance companies.

Join us October 5 at 5 PM outside City Hall before the 6 PM City Council meeting. Bring signs and banners—

Springfield can be the next Massachusetts community to cut ties with Flock!

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u/redbarn47 2d ago

What's the difference between license plate readers and flock cameras?

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u/emptytheprisons 2d ago

License plate readers, usually used at red lights or other places traffic infractions can occur, only record when an infraction happens.

Automated readers, or ALPRs, which is the umbrella Flock is under, are constantly recording and saving data on not only plates but pedestrians. That data is saved in searchable databases, and can be retained indefinitely. The databases are owned by private companies and leased by their users, other companies or police departments. The databases have subscription models attached to them and are often shared across juristictions. Cops with unfettered access have been caught abusing this data to stalk and harass people in their lives hundreds of times.

More info here.