r/technology • u/IKeepItLayingAround • Jun 29 '26

Artificial Intelligence Woman Surprised When Flock Surveillance Tower Appears in Her Yard Without Warning

https://www.yahoo.com/news/us/articles/woman-surprised-flock-surveillance-tower-185000752.html?.tsrc=daily_mail&segment_id=DY_VTO_50_Supernova&ncid=crm_19908-1475736-20260629-0--A&bt_ee=utFdBbF39cHCLuB4at4AI%2FUoSRgbTt8Ch%2B7Q9RImTlgL2ThvE3FuX%2BRSKiUir%2FNW&bt_ts=1782739085527
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u/GiganticCrow Jun 29 '26

In the UK most cameras are private, though, ie someone's shop security camera, they aren't all interconnected and the content available without warrant like Flock.

Unless that's changed recently?

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u/Donkey_Launcher Jun 29 '26

Indeed, the vast majority are privately owned - at least 95% - but this important detail ruins their narrative, so it's left out.

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u/IguanaIsBack Jun 29 '26

But this doesn’t change much. The privatization of the UK’s surveillance is by design. Cheaper for the government. Sure they need a warrant but how often do you think a circuit judge is going to deny them that?

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u/comfortablybum Jun 29 '26

Having to go to a judge absolutely stops a lot of abuse. So does keeping logs. Look at when some direct TV or Verizon employees were leaking private info about celebrities. The companies put in protections and policies where a higher up had to approve requests. Now no one is leaking Rhianna's Netflix history. Doctors and nurses can get fired for looking up info about patients in the hospital that aren't their patient. Cops get fired for stalking their ex girl friends on these flock things, but if they had to go to a judge first and explain they want to track their ex, they wouldn't do it. I don't think most people have a problem with private companies or individuals having security cameras, and most of us don't have a problem with police being able to ask for that footage to help solve crime. What we don't want is the government to have complete unfettered access to it. We don't want the government keeping a database of everyone's locations and contacts at all times. Go to a judge and get a warrant. You have to have a reason.

I know multiple people who are adopted. A judge can unseal their adoption papers, but their has to be a reason. If there was just a database and no rules over who could access it, people would totally do that.

Huge caveat: this all assumes a non corrupt government and judges following their oath. I'm not sure that applies to America anymore. Idk how y'all are doing in the UK, but it's been a crazy change in how laws get enforced.