Key facts
- A man impersonating Darth Vader spoke at a San Diego public safety committee meeting.
- He used the persona to mock the city's use of Flock Safety license plate readers.
- The impersonator raised concerns about potential misuse of the surveillance technology.
- Flock Safety is facing backlash over spying concerns and instances of misuse.
- San Diego city council voted in December to continue using Flock's cameras.
A man dressed as Darth Vader appeared at a San Diego public safety committee meeting to satirize the city's use of Flock Safety automated license plate readers. The impersonator, whose identity is unknown, used the Star Wars villain's persona to highlight concerns about surveillance and potential misuse of the technology.
During the meeting, the man stated, "The emperor is a fan of Flock," but proceeded to describe the cameras in an ominous light, suggesting they could be used to track children or stalk former romantic partners. He referenced a case in Louisiana where a sheriff's deputy was fired for allegedly using Flock's system to track his ex-fiancee's car over 3,000 times.
Flock Safety, based in Atlanta, markets its technology as a tool for law enforcement, citing successes in locating missing persons and recovering stolen vehicles. However, the company faces growing criticism and scrutiny. In San Diego, a man spent a month in jail after a Flock reader falsely linked him to a violent carjacking. According to the grassroots group DeFlock, approximately 100 municipalities have either deactivated, canceled, or rejected contracts with Flock. An incident in Ohio involving alleged damage to a Flock camera resulted in an arrest, but a grand jury declined to indict the individual on felony vandalism charges.
In response to mounting concerns, Flock announced new policies in August aimed at curbing misuse, including a mandate for law enforcement agencies to adopt an audit assistance feature by year-end. However, some legal experts have deemed these accountability measures insufficient.