Benn Jordan Testifies on Flock Safety Surveillance Backlash
Musician and researcher Benn Jordan testified before Congress regarding Flock Safety's license plate readers, contributing to widespread contract cancellations.
Key points
- Benn Jordan testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee regarding Flock Safety and automatic license plate reader systems.
- Hundreds of local governments have canceled contracts with Flock Safety amid growing bipartisan criticism and surveillance concerns.
- Flock Safety plans to cut approximately 18 percent of its workforce, according to a report by Reuters.
Benn Jordan testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism regarding Flock Safety and its automatic license plate reader systems. The hearing addressed growing bipartisan backlash against the surveillance technology manufacturer.
Jordan, a musician and investigative journalist, has become a prominent figure in the debate over digital surveillance. According to The Verge, his testimony marked a culmination of months of criticism directed at Flock Safety and similar companies.
Context and Background
Jordan does not seek to destroy Flock Safety as a company, according to The Verge. He views the firm’s public relations response to critics as a significant failure that made it a target. He believes competitors like Axon and Motorola are quietly building similar networks without facing the same scrutiny.
Instead of a crusade against one entity, Jordan aims for tangible solutions to surveillance overreach. He has extended an olive branch to Flock Safety, including direct communication with CEO Garrett Langley. Jordan reports security vulnerabilities to the company when he discovers them.
Who Is Affected
The backlash against Flock Safety has resulted in significant business consequences. Hundreds of cities, counties, and other local governments have begun canceling their contracts with the firm. This wave of cancellations reflects broader concerns about privacy and the use of automatic license plate readers.
Flock Safety is also under investigation by Republican Sen. Josh Hawley. The political and public pressure has impacted the company’s operations. Reuters reported that Flock plans to cut about 18 percent of its workforce in response to the fallout.
What should you do?
Security professionals and policymakers should monitor legislative developments regarding surveillance technology. Local government officials should review existing contracts for automatic license plate readers. Organizations should assess the privacy implications of deploying such systems.
What to do and how to stay safe: Flock Safety
- Review local ordinances regarding the use of automatic license plate readers and surveillance data retention policies.
- Monitor congressional hearings and legislative proposals related to biometric data and surveillance technology regulation.
- Assess vendor contracts for clauses regarding data ownership, sharing, and security vulnerability disclosure processes.
- Evaluate the necessity of surveillance tools against potential privacy risks and community trust implications.
Step-by-step guide: How to Remove Data from Data Brokers: The Manual Cleanup Process
General security guidance from the Threat Times newsroom. It is not confirmed advice from the organisations named in this story.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Benn Jordan?
Benn Jordan is a musician, YouTuber, researcher, and investigative journalist who has become a prominent face in the anti-Flock Safety movement.
What happened to Flock Safety contracts?
Hundreds of cities, counties, and other local governments have begun canceling contracts with Flock Safety amid growing criticism.
Is Flock Safety facing legal or political scrutiny?
Yes, Flock Safety is under investigation by Republican Sen. Josh Hawley and faced a congressional hearing regarding its surveillance systems.
