Benn Jordan thinks the surveillance problem is much bigger than Flock

Today, I’m talking with Benn Jordan, musician, YouTuber, researcher, and investigative journalist. In the last couple of years, Benn has become a high-profile face in the creator and media spaces for his work investigating Flock Safety, the maker of automatic license plate readers and the software that powers them. 

Benn recently testified in front of Congress at a hearing dedicated to Flock and other ALPR systems. So of course I wanted to dig into all of that with Benn, not just because of his role as a Flock critic, but because he’s also become in some ways the face of a new front in the broader debate about surveillance and privacy. 

Links: 

• Benn Jordan testifies in front of Senate | Benn Jordan (YouTube)
• Flock values their privacy. Oh well | Benn Jordan (YouTube)
• We Hacked Flock Safety Cameras in under 30 Seconds | Benn Jordan (YouTube)
• Lawmakers introduce multiple laws to curb Flock | 404 Media
• The fight over Flock and other ALPRs | The Verge
• Sanders, AOC, Merkley propose bill to ban Flock cameras | Politico
• Cities terminate Flock contracts at record pace in August | Ars Technica
• Flock to cut several hundred jobs amid backlash | Reuters

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Credits:

Decoder is a production of The Verge and part of the Vox Media Podcast Network.

Decoder’s producers are Greg Ott, Kate Cox, and Nick Statt. This episode was edited by Ursa Wright. Our editorial director is Kevin McShane. 

The Decoder music is by Breakmaster Cylinder.

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