FedEx's new partnership with surveillance startup Flock Safety, using AI-powered cameras on trucks to aid police investigations, sparks concerns over privacy and mass surveillance practices in the U.S.
FedEx has partnered with Flock Safety, a $4 billion surveillance startup, to use AI-powered cameras on its trucks to aid police investigations, according to a recent report by Forbes. Flock Safety specializes in automated license plate recognition and video surveillance, with around 40,000 cameras in 4,000 cities across 40 states.
This partnership enables FedEx to monitor its facilities across the U.S. while sharing its surveillance feeds with law enforcement. Critics liken this to a mass surveillance network, noting that some local police forces are also sharing their Flock feeds with FedEx.
Jay Stanley, a policy analyst with the ACLU, expressed concern about the government's access to widespread surveillance, comparing it to GPS-tracking everyone. He questioned why a private company should have privileged access to data typically reserved for law enforcement, calling it "profoundly disconcerting."
Flock Safety’s cameras track vehicles by their license plates, make, model, color, and other identifying features like dents and bumper stickers. Lisa Femia, staff attorney at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, warned that private firms are not subject to the same transparency laws as police, potentially leaving the public in the dark.
Several police departments confirmed their partnerships with Flock, sharing data with FedEx. The Shelby County Sheriff's Office in Tennessee and other departments across the country are participating in these data-sharing arrangements.
Despite the controversy, there is no suggestion that the partnership is illegal, though some critics argue it challenges constitutional principles. The extent of the data sharing between FedEx and law enforcement remains unclear. Kaiser Permanente, the largest health insurance carrier in the U.S., also participates in a similar partnership with Flock.
Flock Safety's technology is used by more than 3,000 American communities and over 1,800 law enforcement agencies. Valued at nearly $4 billion, the company continues to attract venture capital, raising significant funds in recent years. Its mission includes promoting safer driving and eliminating crime in communities.
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