Flock Won’t Answer This One Town’s Simple Question
Summary
In this episode, we follow Dustin Weir and select board member James Mackey in Tewkesbury, Massachusetts, as they challenge Flock Safety over the town's surveillance camera contract. The pair uncover that the town agreed to a vague terms-of-service agreement rather than a formal contract, and Flock refuses to provide the original terms or answer technical questions about data privacy. After months of failed attempts to get answers, the two confront a Flock representative at a public hearing, where the company's evasive responses lead to a community outcry. Ultimately, the police chief cance…
Topics discussed
Introduction to Flock cameras and public concerns
Tense select board meeting and Dustin Weir's introduction
Dustin's demand for the original contract terms
Sponsorship and Signal Awards voting request
Dustin's background and discovery of local cameras
How Flock cameras work and data collection methods
Cross-jurisdictional data access and privacy fears
The contract is just a link to changing terms of service
Flock blocks access to historical contract versions
James Mackey's background and interest in data privacy
Risks of AI and aggregate surveillance information
James's review of the contract and data ownership
Failed video call with Flock representatives
Flock's dismissive responses to written inquiries
Flock PR rep arrives at the select board meeting
James questions Flock on binding legal answers
Dustin asks for contract production and gets no answer
Failed motion to cease use and board internal conflict
James drafts warrant articles for town meeting vote
Police cancel Flock contract and Dustin moderates town meeting
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