We’re saying,
GET THE FLOCK OUT!
Because it’s surveillance, not safety.
What is Flock Safety?
Imagine if all those science fiction movies, TV shows, and books about mass surveillance were right…
As it stands, Flock contracts with police departments, private businesses, HOAs, and other entities to supply a range of audio & video recording devices as well as a suite of AI-powered software built to erase our privacy and turn our lives into data points for sale. For a great summary of how all this works, please watch this video by Benn Jordan.
Flock Safety notable investors
Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) is the primary investor in Flock. Co-founder Marc Andreessen has publicly stated: "Democracy is fake."
Peter Thiel / Founders Fund invested in Flock's $275 million funding round. Thiel co-founded Palantir — the government data-analytics firm holding contracts with ICE, the NSA, and the Department of Defense. Flock data feeds directly into Palantir's platform. The connection between your daily commute and federal surveillance infrastructure runs directly through Thiel's investment portfolio.
But wait, there’s more…
New to Flock’s arsenal of tools are Flock Nova, Flock Freeform, and Flock Alpha. All of which make the picture more and more disturbing.
Flock Nova
Remember how the Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs) and Condor cameras are turning our movements into data points? Flock Nova then integrates that data with records management systems, computed-aided dispatch systems, jail records, public records, and “approved open sources” (which is just another way to say social media and all the things we use an email address to sign up for) to build Minority-Report-Like profiles on each and every one of us. Flock’s own website touts using open source intelligence, internet protocol data, email data, and “place of interest data.” But imagine that your bumper sticker on your car isn’t just you supporting a sports team. What if it showed support for a particular political party or candidate? What about a specific religion or culture? It’s like having a social media account you never asked for, filled out with all your most personal information (both public and private), all in one place.
Want to read more? The ACLU has a great article to read. CLICK HERE.
Flock Freeform
You’ve never committed a crime or signed up for social media in your life, but now you have a profile in Flock’s database. Chances are, you’ve heard about artificial intelligence at this point and it’s ability to both aggregate data, and get things wrong…Freeform is Flock’s marriage of A.I. and all that data it’s collected to allow law enforcement to skip the police work and just let the computer determine the outcome of the investigation.
Flock Alpha
A 60 mph drone with a range of 50 sq miles equipped with thermal and low-light optics. The only thing it doesn’t have is a machine gun.
What are we doing about it?
Working with our friends at DeFlock to identify ALPRs.
Visit the DeFlock website, they’re a dedicated group that is building a map of ALPRs. However the only way the map grows is for folks like us to contribute. So when you see a Flock camera, check the map and see if it’s been marked. If it hasn’t use their web portal or app to do your part and help.
Don’t become a data point for sale.
If you go out in public, think about wearing a mask. If you attend a protest, definitely wear a face covering. There is another website DontGetFlocked.com, that will check your route for Flock cameras and offer alternatives. As they dutifully state: “90,000+ cameras. 20 billion scans per month. Zero warrants.”
Engaging our local city & town councils to cancel Flock contracts.
This is what it all boils down to. As voters, we have oversight of public entities like local government agencies, police departments, and more. But Flock is a private company and their goal is simply to make a profit. If you are interested in getting involved with Indivisible Albany’s Get The Flock Out movement, please use the contact form and we’ll get you plugged in.
Current work
Troy, NY
We recently heard that Troy is renewing their Flock contact. Here is the March 19th, 2026 Finance Meeting Agenda with the current contract listed.
3/18/26 - You also may have seen in the Troy Record that local artists and organizers are speaking up about Flock as well.
3/19/26 - Over 150 people showed up to the Troy City Council meeting, a record number of residents unanimously stood in opposition to Mayor Mantello and Flock Safety that evening.
3/23/26 - Flock Safety's national search tool disabled in Troy after pushback. (Times Union article)
Albany, NY
One of our biggest events this year will undoubtedly be No Kings 3 on March 28th. One of the main focal points of the event, and reasons we chose the location, is due to the presence of a few choice Flock cameras. We plan to make everyone aware that Flock is here, but their time is almost up.
3/21/26 - We have obtained responses to our FOIL request with Albany County and are in the process of review…