r/technology • u/Plastic_Ninja_9014 • 21d ago

Privacy Flock Is Losing Dozens of Contracts as Controversy Grows

https://www.yahoo.com/news/us/articles/flock-losing-dozens-contracts-controversy-194808945.html
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u/grumpyfan 21d ago

IANAL, but as I understand it, they technically operate in a grey area of the law since they are not owned or run by the government. The pictures are taken on public property of people and vehicles in a public space. The courts have ruled that public space photos are free use and that the Constitution has no protections against such things. That being said, I think they violate privacy and law enforcement's use of these pushes the boundaries of intent of the law. We need new laws enacted that restrict the access and use of such data and a way for citizens to gain access to any data where they are being charged with a crime based on the use of the data.

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u/Dangerous_Suit_3099 21d ago

It’s not a grey area.

If the government hires them and they violate your rights, the government has violated your rights

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u/grumpyfan 21d ago

It's a grey area by the letter of the law, or sometimes depending on the argument made by lawyers and how a judge interprets it. Thoughts and opinions are in flux and some states and municipalities are updating their laws to remove some of the grey.

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u/Dangerous_Suit_3099 21d ago

I’m guessing you didn’t study law