Flock Shock: How Local Fights Over Surveillance Are Reshaping American Politics w/ Sarah Hamid & Anthony Ralphs
Show notes
You may have seen the viral clip of a man in a full Darth Vader costume protesting Flock at a San Diego City Council meeting. The man behind the mask was Anthony Ralphs, who spent months trying to get the city to reconsider its contract with the surveillance tech company. After repeatedly raising concerns with the council, he turned to political theater - and got national attention. His protest is part of a growing backlash against Flock, bringing people across the political spectrum together to challenge surveillance tech and demand more say in how it’s used.
In this episode, Anthony reflects on what it took to get people to listen. Then, Sarah Hamid from the Electronic Frontier Foundation breaks down how Flock’s data-sharing works and explains a strategy gaining traction in communities looking to get this technology out of their cities: bringing lawmakers and community organizers together before contracts are signed. Together, they unpack how backlash against Flock is turning frustration with surveillance tech into renewed political engagement.
Further reading and resources:
- The Man Behind the Anti-Flock Darth Vader Mask Wants to Know: 'When Will This End? — 404 Media
- Flock Taught Cops How to Surveil No Kings Protesters — 404 Media
- Street Level Surveillance: ALPRs** — Electronic Frontier Foundation
- EFF's Policy Position on ALPR Surveillance: Eliminate It and Reduce Its Harms — Electronic Frontier Foundation
- Cities terminate Flock contracts at record pace in August — Ars Technica
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Computer Says Maybe is produced by Kushal Dev, Marion Wellington, Van Newman, and Zoe Trout