Growing surveillance program tests balance between privacy and policing in Atlanta

September 29, 2025 • 15:10

Atlanta’s surveillance network has expanded to over 20,000 cameras, blending public, private, and corporate-owned devices into a real-time feed for the Atlanta Police Department. This rapid growth, particularly in privately registered cameras and Flock license plate readers, creates a pervasive web of surveillance across the city. While law enforcement and tech vendors champion the system’s role in solving high-profile crimes and compensating for police staff shortages, it triggers significant civil liberties concerns. The APD’s refusal to discuss its data handling, security, or privacy policies exacerbates fears about the lack of public oversight. Legal experts warn that while current precedent permits such public surveillance, the sheer scale and technological advancement of these systems are pushing the boundaries of Fourth Amendment protections and societal privacy norms, forcing a difficult conversation about how much of public life should be recorded.

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