Americans are destroying Flock surveillance cameras | TechCrunch
TechCrunch
by Zack WhittakerFebruary 23, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Americans are increasingly taking action against Flock surveillance cameras, reflecting growing public anger over their role in immigration enforcement. The Atlanta-based startup, valued at $7.5 billion, provides license plate readers that track individuals' movements by capturing plate data from thousands of cameras nationwide. While Flock claims they don't share data directly with ICE, local police have provided access to federal authorities, enabling deportations under the Trump administration's policies.
In various cities, residents have vandalized these cameras, symbolizing their rejection of surveillance aiding ICE. Notable incidents include smashed cameras in La Mesa, California, and spray-painted poles in Oregon, where a note read, "Hahaha get wrecked ya surveilling fucks." Similar acts have occurred across states like Connecticut and Illinois.
This trend highlights the tension between technology's role in privacy versus national security. The destruction underscores public distrust in surveillance tech for immigration enforcement, challenging its adoption by law enforcement and sparking broader debates on digital privacy and government oversight.
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Originally published on TechCrunch on 2/23/2026