The Crow's Nest Report

The Crow's Nest Report

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Keeping an eye on Mass Surveillance, Privacy, and Digital Civil-Liberties! Subscribe to the newsletter @ https://crowsnest.report/

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A Romulus resident found a board approved a Flock camera deal capped at $47,500, then signed a $270,000 contract. ClickOnDetroit | WDIV Local 4 https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/local/2026/10/27/romulus-resident-flags-contract-discrepancy-in-citys-dollar270000-flock-safety-camera-deal/

clickondetroit.comRomulus Resident Flags Discrepancy in City's $270,000 Flock Camera ContractROMULUS, Mich. — A Romulus resident is raising questions about how the city approved a $270,000 contract for Flock Safety automatic license plate reading cameras — after discovering what he says is a discrepancy between what a city board approved and what was ultimately signed. James Lee said he…
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Under the radar: Oak Ridge police suspended an officer for misusing automated license plate readers. WATE 6 On Your Side https://www.wate.com/news/top-stories/oak-ridge-officer-alpr-misuse/

wate.comOak Ridge police suspended an officer for misusing a license plate reader systemOak Ridge Police Investigator Timothy Buckner received a three-day unpaid suspension after using automated license plate readers to monitor two people for personal reasons, according to internal documents obtained by WATE.
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Plymouth voted 6-1 to cancel its Flock Safety contract and remove 18 cameras. More than a month later, the automated license plate readers remain standing along local roadways. 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS

kstp.comFlock license plate readers remain standing in Plymouth more than a month after a 6-1 city council vote ended the police department's 18-camera vendor contractMore than a month after Plymouth's city council voted 6-1 to cancel its Flock camera program, the automated license plate readers remain standing along local roadways, 5 Eyewitness News reports. Residents told the station they want the surveillance devices physically removed.
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Tennessee Police Investigator Suspended for Using License Plate Readers for Personal Surveillance. WATE 6 On Your Side https://www.wate.com/news/top-stories/oak-ridge-officer-alpr-misuse/

wate.comTennessee Police Investigator Suspended for Using License Plate Readers for Personal SurveillanceOak Ridge Police Investigator Timothy Buckner was suspended without pay for three days following a 2024 investigation into his misuse of Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs). According to documents obtained by WATE 6 On Your Side, Buckner used ALPRs to track the locations of a woman and a man…
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Suffolk Constabulary will deploy live facial recognition across Lowestoft, Bury St Edmunds and Ipswich Nov. 3-5; it is borrowing gear from Bedfordshire Police. Bury Mercury https://www.burymercury.co.uk/news/26669273.live-facial-recognition-return-three-suffolk-towns/

burymercury.co.ukSuffolk Constabulary will deploy live facial recognition across Lowestoft, Bury St Edmunds and Ipswich Nov. 3-5; it is borrowing gear from Bedfordshire PoliceSuffolk Constabulary announced plans to deploy live facial recognition cameras across three town centers to scan pedestrians against a watchlist. The BBC reports the force scanned 80,000 faces and made four arrests during a similar deployment in August.
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Bozeman officials approved a five-year, $2.4 million contract with Axon Enterprise Inc. to replace police body cameras, in-car cameras, and tasers. Fight Back! News https://fightbacknews.org/articles/bozeman-police-city-commission-sign-axon-contract-amid-public-outcries

fightbacknews.orgBozeman Approves Axon Police Camera Contract Despite Protests Over ICE TiesBozeman, MT – On Thursday, October 15, the Bozeman chapter of Montana for Palestine (MT4P) learned that the newly-published agenda for the upcoming October 20 City Commission meeting contained a vote to approve a five-year, $2.4 million contract with Axon Enterprise Inc. Despite Axon's…
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Flock Safety told Suffolk County lawmakers its system can track interstate travel for abortion cases; Texas deputies searched 83,000 cameras in a prior inquiry. New York Post https://nypost.com/2026/10/25/us-news/disturbing-twist-involving-flock-database-and-women-seeking-abortions/

nypost.comFlock Safety told Suffolk County lawmakers its system can track interstate travel for abortion cases; Texas deputies searched 83,000 cameras in a prior inquiryA Flock Safety executive acknowledged to Suffolk County officials that out-of-state police could use its camera database to track interstate travel, including for abortion seekers, the New York Post reports.
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Under the radar: Ontario plans consultations on optional digital photo cards. www.theepochtimes.com https://www.theepochtimes.com/world/ontario-plans-optional-digital-id-cards-starting-with-photo-card-6108635

theepochtimes.comOntario plans late-2026 consultations on optional digital photo cards; legislation guaranteeing the right to use only physical cards is set for late 2027Ontario announced plans to consult the public on optional digital IDs ahead of a planned rollout of digital photo cards, later expanding to driver's licenses and health cards, The Epoch Times reports. Provincial officials state the program is designed to prevent identity theft while preserving the…
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The Bellevue Police Department is introducing a program this fall to send camera-equipped drones to emergency and crime scenes ahead of officers, with two patrol officers piloting the devices. thewatchdogonline.com https://thewatchdogonline.com/bellevue-police-to-launch-drones-this-fall-40155

thewatchdogonline.comBellevue Police to Deploy Camera-Equipped First-Responder DronesThis fall, the Bellevue Police Department is introducing a new Drone as First Responder program, which would allow officers to deploy drones to emergency scenes. This way they would be able to assess situations and calls before police arrive. The drones, also known as unmanned aerial systems (UAS),…
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Reno replaced its prior Flock Safety hardware by approving a $22 million Axon contract adding over 200 license plate readers, drones, and AI reporting software in a 5-2 City Council vote opposed by the mayor. KOLO-TV

kolotv.comCity council vote: Reno City Council votes 5-2 for a $22 million Axon deal adding 200+ license plate readers; the contract replaces prior Flock Safety hardwareKOLO-TV reports the council expanded police surveillance by approving over 200 license plate readers, drones, and AI reporting software under an eight-year contract opposed by the mayor.
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Binghamton University is switching license plate readers from Flock to Axon, cutting data retention to 21 days and isolating records from outside agencies. https://www.wbng.com https://www.wbng.com/2026/10/22/binghamton-university-transition-flock-cameras-campus-new-system/

wbng.comBinghamton University Replaces Flock Surveillance Cameras to Limit Outside Data SharingBinghamton University in Binghamton, N.Y., is transitioning this fall from the Flock Automatic License Plate Reader (ALPR) system to a new ALPR platform from Axon, according to a report published on October 22, 2026. University officials stated that after reviewing numerous systems, the Axon…
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New York lawmakers passed a bill to regulate private license plate readers. Spectrum News https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/central-ny/ny-state-of-politics/2026/10/25/new-york-lawmakers-pass-license-plate-reader-privacy-bill-as-surveillance-concerns-grow-in-western-new-york

spectrumlocalnews.comBill: New York lawmakers passed Assembly Bill A563A 144-0 in January and 60-0 in June to regulate private license plate readers; the bill exempts policeNew York lawmakers passed a bill requiring consumer protection officials to regulate private automated license plate readers, Spectrum News reports, while explicitly exempting police tracking networks.
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A Georgia police department fired detective Randy Dula after he allegedly checked Flock license-plate readers seven times in two years to search for his wife during diabetic emergencies. WRAL https://www.wral.com/news/ap/milton-georgia-police-detective-fired-flock-cameras-october-2026/

wral.comGeorgia Detective Fired for Using Flock License-Plate Readers to Track WifeRandy Dula, a former detective with the Milton Police Department in Georgia, was fired for alleged misuse of Flock cameras. His wife, Mariam Dula, claims the usage was justified to locate her during diabetic emergencies. According to Mariam Dula, Randy utilized the Flock camera seven times over a…
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San Diego's mayor previously defended the city's automated license plate readers. San Diego's budget committee voted unanimously to eliminate police Flock license plate readers, with 5 of 9 council members now supporting the cut. San Diego Union-Tribune

sandiegouniontribune.comCity council vote: San Diego's budget committee voted unanimously to eliminate police Flock license plate readers; 5 of 9 council members now support the cutA San Diego City Council committee voted unanimously to recommend ending police use of Flock automated license plate readers, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported, setting up a full council vote despite objections from the mayor and police chief.

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Freedom of the Press Foundation
@freedom.press

Broadcasters have a First Amendment right to report polling data, even if it proves to be inaccurate, just like they have a First Amendment right to report on Brendan Carr and Trump’s own countless lies, even when they turn out to be inaccurate. More:

freedom.pressBrendan Carr: Reporting on polls may violate broadcast license termsEthically challenged regulator is the last person who should be lecturing anyone on journalistic ethics
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A Fresno police officer is on paid leave while being investigated for allegedly misusing Flock Safety automated license-plate cameras and the CLETS database for non-criminal purposes. The Sacramento Bee https://www.sacbee.com/news/california/article317741564.html

sacbee.comFresno Police Officer Investigated for Allegedly Misusing Flock License-Plate CamerasFresno's Office of Independent Review disclosed October 21, 2026 that Internal Affairs began probing an unnamed officer on September 8, 2026 for misusing Flock Safety cameras and the CLETS database for non-criminal purposes and failing to activate a body camera; the officer is on paid…
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Asheville police ran over 2.7 million license plate searches between April and June. WLOS https://wlos.com/news/local/asheville-residents-press-police-on-27m-alpr-searches-cited-in-audit-automatic-license-plate-readers-automated-flock-axon-police-department-automated-holding-leaders-accountable

wlos.comAsheville Residents Press Police on 2.7 Million License Plate Reader SearchesASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — Police are responding to concerns brought up in last week’s Asheville City Council meeting about Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs). "We have been told that there are safeguards in place for the use of ALPRs," said Asheville Resident Rachel Cohen in the public comment…
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A Goodyear internal probe found former officer Kristopher Jackson violated policy by misusing Flock license plate reader database records. Arizona Daily Independent https://arizonadailyindependent.com/2026/10/23/goodyear-police-investigation-finds-former-officer-violated-flock-camera-policies/

arizonadailyindependent.comInvestigation Finds Former Goodyear Officer Misused Flock License Plate Reader DatabaseGOODYEAR – A former Goodyear police officer who resigned during an investigation into alleged misuse of law enforcement databases would have been terminated had he remained employed, the department announced October 23. The administrative investigation sustained three policy violations against…
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Lansing Police Chief Robert Backus told the city council in April that no Flock license plate data was shared. An email shows Lansing police shared Flock license plate data with 141 organizations in July. WLNS 6 News

wlns.comAn email shows Lansing police shared Flock license plate data with 141 organizations in July; Chief Robert Backus told city council in April no data was sharedA Lansing City Council member renewed calls to ban Flock Safety automated license plate readers, telling WLNS that external law enforcement agencies had accessed local vehicle tracking data.
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Records show Lansing police ran 1,267 Flock camera searches in a month, while outside agencies searched East Lansing's system 27,104 times. WLNS 6 Lansing https://www.wlns.com/news/police-make-hundreds-of-flock-searches-daily-largely-investigating-drug-crimes-docs/

wlns.comMichigan Police Records Reveal Extensive Flock Camera Searches and Cross-Agency SharingFOIA records reported October 22, 2026 by WLNS show Lansing police made 1,267 Flock searches between July 15 and August 14, 2026, while other agencies accessed East Lansing's database 27,104 times including 12,000 searches by Michigan State Police, which itself logged 15,314 searches in June and…
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Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger barred county agencies from deploying Flock license plate cameras; the order exempts Sheriff Juan Figueroa's department. WAMC/Northeast Public Radio https://www.wamc.org/news/2026-10-22/ulster-county-moves-to-restrict-flock-camera-usage

wamc.orgUlster County Executive Jen Metzger barred county agencies from deploying Flock license plate cameras; the order exempts Sheriff Juan Figueroa's departmentUlster County Executive Jen Metzger issued an executive order prohibiting all county departments from purchasing or deploying Flock automated license plate readers and AI-assisted surveillance tools, local outlets report.
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Under the radar: A Medium analysis argues individual consent fails to protect collective privacy because uploading contact lists exposes others without their knowledge. Medium.com https://medium.com/@josephsides94/the-privacy-problem-that-extends-beyond-the-person-who-clicks-agree-cafa94e34373

medium.comA Medium analysis argues individual consent fails to protect collective privacy because uploading contact lists exposes others without their knowledgeA Medium analysis argues that conventional individual-consent frameworks fail to safeguard collective digital privacy, reporting that one user's data-sharing choices—such as uploading contact books—regularly expose non-consenting individuals' personal information to third-party databases.
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Georgetown Police Officer Justin Craig was arrested and charged with fraud and official misconduct after allegedly running personal searches on Flock license-plate recognition cameras. WLKY https://www.wlky.com/article/georgetown-police-officer-misuse-flock-cameras/74223096

wlky.comIndiana Police Officer Charged with Misusing Flock Surveillance Cameras for Personal SearchesGeorgetown Police Officer Justin Craig was arrested and charged with official misconduct and two counts of fraud after allegedly misusing Flock license-plate recognition cameras. According to the Indiana State Police (ISP), investigators met with the Georgetown police chief in September following…
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Plymouth City Council voted 6-1 on Sept. 22 to end its Flock contract. After the vendor refused to acknowledge the cancellation, Plymouth Police Chief Eric Fadden unplugged the department's Flock Safety cameras. The Drive

thedrive.comPlymouth, Minnesota police chief Eric Fadden unplugs Flock Safety cameras after the vendor refused to acknowledge a Sept. 22 contract cancellation votePlymouth Police Chief Eric Fadden told The Drive his department suspended its Flock accounts after the city council voted to end its contract, but the vendor has refused to acknowledge the cancellation.
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London's Met Police will deploy permanent live facial recognition on Oxford Street. Kent Online https://www.kentonline.co.uk/news/national/festive-shoppers-to-be-scanned-as-oxford-street-gets-facial-recognition-cameras-173360/

kentonline.co.ukLondon's Met Police will deploy permanent live facial recognition on Oxford Street in December, where 500,000 visit daily; national safeguards remain pendingThe Southend Echo reports London's Oxford Street will deploy permanent live facial recognition cameras in December to scan passing shoppers' faces against a watchlist of wanted suspects, amid criticism from human rights groups.
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City council vote: Poughkeepsie Common Council votes Tuesday to cancel all Flock Safety contracts; Mayor Yvonne Flowers announced plans to veto the resolution. Mid Hudson News https://midhudsonnews.com/2026/10/22/flock-cameras-not-flying-away-from-city/

midhudsonnews.comCity council vote: Poughkeepsie Common Council votes Tuesday to cancel all Flock Safety contracts; Mayor Yvonne Flowers announced plans to veto the resolutionMid Hudson News reports the Poughkeepsie Common Council voted to terminate contracts for Flock Safety automated license plate readers and gunshot detectors, following residents' objections over surveillance risks, though the mayor has threatened a veto.
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Greene County Prosecutor Jarrod Holtsclaw tried to hide details of a $230,000 contract for Flock Safety automated license plate readers from taxpayers before officials approved it. WISH-TV https://www.wishtv.com/news/indiana-news/prosecutor-tried-to-keep-flock-camera-plan-secret/

wishtv.comIndiana Prosecutor Attempted to Conceal Flock License Plate Reader Contract From Public(FREE PRESS INDIANA) — Longtime Greene County Prosecutor Jarrod Holtsclaw saw the crime-solving benefits of roadside surveillance cameras that take pictures of license plates and track passing vehicles. But he didn’t want the citizens whose cars and trucks would be monitored, and whose property…
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Under the radar: Sen. Mark Warner proposed a federal ban on surveillance pricing based on personal consumer data; at least 3 states have already enacted bans on the practice. 22 News WWLP https://www.wwlp.com/washington-dc/surveillance-pricing-comes-into-focus-in-some-midterm-campaigns/

wwlp.comSen. Mark Warner proposed a federal ban on surveillance pricing based on personal consumer data; at least 3 states have already enacted bans on the practiceWWLP reports Sen. Mark Warner proposed a federal ban on surveillance pricing, where companies track individual consumer data to charge varying rates, following similar prohibitions passed in at least three states.
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Bayfield County's Executive Committee voted to defund six Flock Safety license-plate cameras in its 2027 budget. On Oct. 19, the Bayfield County Sheriff's Committee voted to rescind a proposed ban on Flock cameras, reversing a 3-2 vote. apg-wi.com

apg-wi.comBayfield County Sheriff's Committee voted Oct. 19 to rescind a proposed ban on Flock cameras, reversing a 3-2 vote; the county sheriff operates six readersAPG Media reports the Bayfield County Sheriff’s Committee rescinded a recommendation that could have banned Flock automated license plate readers, voting instead to review existing county surveillance policies after hearing from the sheriff.

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Freedom of the Press Foundation
@freedom.press

The Florida GOP should know news outlets cannot be punished for publishing information from whistleblowers. The Supreme Court case that says it’s not the job of journalists to maintain the government’s confidences literally has Florida in the name. Our statement:

freedom.pressFlorida GOP lawsuit to censor TV stations fails Sunshine State — and First AmendmentThe Florida GOP should know news outlets cannot be punished for publishing information from whistleblowers
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Ruling: A New Mexico judge orders Meta to pay $25 billion after a jury found the company liable for misleading users about its privacy and content policies. thehill.com https://thehill.com/policy/technology/6163378-judge-orders-meta-25b-penalty/

thehill.comRuling: A New Mexico judge orders Meta to pay $25 billion after a jury found the company liable for misleading users about its privacy and content policiesThe Hill reports a New Mexico state judge ordered Meta to pay $25 billion, following a jury finding that the company misled users regarding its content and privacy policies, according to state Attorney General Raúl Torrez.
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A Milton police detective was terminated in August after allegedly using the Flock Safety database seven times to track his wife's location via license plate reader. FOX 5 Atlanta https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/fired-milton-police-detectives-wife-defends-him-using-flock-track-her

fox5atlanta.comGeorgia Officer Fired for Using Flock Surveillance Database to Track WifeThe wife of former Milton police detective Randy Douglas defended his use of the Flock Safety database to locate her during life-threatening diabetic emergencies at a news conference in Canton. MILTON, Ga. - The wife of a fired Milton police detective is defending his use of Flock Safety's database…
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City council vote: Siloam Springs directors voted Tuesday to turn off Flock Safety license plate cameras; a contract decision was tabled for legal counsel review. khbs https://www.4029tv.com/article/siloam-springs-turns-off-flock-safety-cameras-while-board-reviews-contract/74198618

4029tv.comCity council vote: Siloam Springs directors voted Tuesday to turn off Flock Safety license plate cameras; a contract decision was tabled for legal counsel reviewKHBS reported that the Siloam Springs Board of Directors voted to turn off the city's Flock license plate readers and pause a contract decision following resident objections over government tracking of vehicular movement.