Mass Surveillance, Privacy, and Public Oversight

Government agencies and local police increasingly use technologies such as facial recognition, automated license-plate readers, cameras, drones, location information, and commercial databases. These tools may support legitimate investigations, but inadequate rules for warrants, retention, information sharing, accuracy, and public notice can threaten privacy, speech, assembly, and equal treatment.

Our understanding and Approach

This concern is well supported by a 2024 GAO investigation, which found that selected DHS agencies used more than 20 monitoring technologies and that agency policies did not always address important privacy protections. U.S. Government Accountability Office.

How to Get active:

      Surveillance grows most easily when the public is unaware of how it is being used. Learn which cameras, license-plate readers, facial-recognition systems, drones, and data-sharing programs operate in your community. Request public records, attend city council and police-oversight meetings, contact your representatives, and advocate for warrants, strict retention limits, independent audits, and transparent public reporting. Support civil-liberties organizations, practice responsible digital security, and document suspected misuse through the proper reporting channels. Peaceful, informed civic action can ensure that public safety never becomes an excuse for unchecked monitoring.

WHat not to do:

DEFINITELY do not under any circumstances destroy any cameras, cabling, or infrastructure. DEFINITELY DON'T do this wearing Birdkill Gear, Deflock, F*** Flock, or any other company fighting the good fights’ merch while doing so.