Independent security researcher Jon Gaines and acoustic scientist Benn Jordan have uncovered significant security flaws in Flock Safety’s AI-powered surveillance technology, including its license plate readers and gunshot detection systems. Their research, based on second-hand hardware, revealed vulnerabilities like remote code execution, outdated operating systems, and weak access controls, making the “public safety” infrastructure susceptible to abuse by malicious actors, including nation-states. These findings highlight the risks of deploying networked surveillance cameras with cost-driven designs and insufficient security, particularly when they become embedded in civic life without adequate oversight. The article also touches on the societal implications and the growing “De-Flock” movement pushing back against such technology’s pervasive use.