Burlington, North Carolina Development News

Resident Raises Alarms Over Flock Camera Expansion, Citing Privacy and Data Security Concerns

A resident, Mike Coron, spoke during public comments expressing strong concerns about the proliferation of Flock cameras in the community. He argued that these cameras, initially intended for emergencies, are increasingly used for crime fighting and surveillance, infringing on personal liberty and privacy. Coron cited concerns about data security, the potential for misuse of data through data fusion centers, and the reversal of the traditional order of investigation (probable cause and warrant). He highlighted documented instances of data breaches and the use of algorithms that may embed bias and lead to misidentification or improper arrests. He also noted the cameras' ability to track phone MAC addresses and Bluetooth signals, which he believes is a violation of Fourth Amendment protections regarding cell phone location data. Coron urged the council to consider removing the cameras from the community.