Great post. I'm really tired of the argument -- well, if you're not doing anything wrong, you shouldn't mind the cameras. That assumes a level of integrity from everyone who has access to the data that unfortunately does not exist … because there’s a growing knowledge of misuse of flock camera data and rather horrifying mistakes that we should all be very concerned about.
Definitely! And thank you. But yes—we’ve already seen time and time again that those with access to data of any kind can’t be universally trusted. None of which is to mention that surveillance should not be the default!
I'm super sensitive to any kind of monitoring because it has been used against me and my family in the past due to politically-motivated vendettas. People seem to forget that if you support misuse of government against perceived enemies when you like who is in charge then the script can be just as easily flipped after the next election. Not good. And I was thinking yesterday because of the 9/11 anniversary, the laws put in place when we were at a point of fear in this country (the Patriot Act) have been misused in particularly egregious ways, only some of which have been ruled unconstitutional.
Oof, I'm sorry to hear that, but that's exactly right about how the script can be flipped. I also thought about including a whole section on the Patriot Act, but the piece was already getting too long as it was. Might be something that makes it into the podcast episode, though!
Yes -- maybe multiple podcasts. I remember at the time that the lone no vote in the Senate against the Patriot Act was Sen. Russ Feingold. And he was really raked over the coals for that vote. I mean who wouldn't vote for something called the PATRIOT act . . . ugh . . . in hindsight . . . decision making based on fear is usually not great decision making. (There were only 66 dissents in the House.)
I used to be one of those naive people who thought, "I have nothing to hide...what do I care if I'm being spied on." 🤦🏼♀️🤦🏼♀️Well, a lot has changed in the past decade, and I am not so trusting anymore. Quite the opposite, actually.
I came across your post by searching "Verkada" on Substack, hoping to find some truth about it. Crazy that you mention Sturgeon Bay because I live near that area.
The reason I am curious about Verkada is this system is being implemented in my child's school. An email was sent out at the beginning of summer stating the school district was replacing its current security system with Verkada. I emailed the administrator asking some questions, with my main concern being if this system would be used to scan biometrics on students. The response was basically that the system would not be used to monitor students or staff. It would only be used to to take pictures of guests or volunteers if a driver's license was not available. Today an email went out to parents and the community stating links will be provided for those who are interested in volunteering, chaperoning, etc, for background checks. Information will be stored in the system, and it won't expire. Interesting....
I found another article on here where the author mentioned a lawsuit in which Verkada agreed to a settlement payment of $2.95M in 2024 for "... Data Security Failures and Deceptive Practices."
I wasn’t terribly familiar with Verkada (outside of my brief mention in the post) until you elaborated on it it in your reply, but that definitely seems like a platform worth interrogating further. I’m sorry to hear it sounds like your child’s school district is moving full steam ahead with it; it’s especially upsetting when tools like these are used to target children or when they may be caught up in a system like that as a sort of collateral damage.
Hopefully some good can come from you spreading awareness about it and systems like it amongst other parents and some action can be taken! I imagine a school board meeting would be a great place to begin asking questions.
Great post. I'm really tired of the argument -- well, if you're not doing anything wrong, you shouldn't mind the cameras. That assumes a level of integrity from everyone who has access to the data that unfortunately does not exist … because there’s a growing knowledge of misuse of flock camera data and rather horrifying mistakes that we should all be very concerned about.
Definitely! And thank you. But yes—we’ve already seen time and time again that those with access to data of any kind can’t be universally trusted. None of which is to mention that surveillance should not be the default!
I'm super sensitive to any kind of monitoring because it has been used against me and my family in the past due to politically-motivated vendettas. People seem to forget that if you support misuse of government against perceived enemies when you like who is in charge then the script can be just as easily flipped after the next election. Not good. And I was thinking yesterday because of the 9/11 anniversary, the laws put in place when we were at a point of fear in this country (the Patriot Act) have been misused in particularly egregious ways, only some of which have been ruled unconstitutional.
Oof, I'm sorry to hear that, but that's exactly right about how the script can be flipped. I also thought about including a whole section on the Patriot Act, but the piece was already getting too long as it was. Might be something that makes it into the podcast episode, though!
Yes -- maybe multiple podcasts. I remember at the time that the lone no vote in the Senate against the Patriot Act was Sen. Russ Feingold. And he was really raked over the coals for that vote. I mean who wouldn't vote for something called the PATRIOT act . . . ugh . . . in hindsight . . . decision making based on fear is usually not great decision making. (There were only 66 dissents in the House.)
More people need morals like you when it comes to making decisions for their future.
That’s really kind of you to say, Jonny. I’m glad this piece resonated with you!
Great post!
I used to be one of those naive people who thought, "I have nothing to hide...what do I care if I'm being spied on." 🤦🏼♀️🤦🏼♀️Well, a lot has changed in the past decade, and I am not so trusting anymore. Quite the opposite, actually.
I came across your post by searching "Verkada" on Substack, hoping to find some truth about it. Crazy that you mention Sturgeon Bay because I live near that area.
The reason I am curious about Verkada is this system is being implemented in my child's school. An email was sent out at the beginning of summer stating the school district was replacing its current security system with Verkada. I emailed the administrator asking some questions, with my main concern being if this system would be used to scan biometrics on students. The response was basically that the system would not be used to monitor students or staff. It would only be used to to take pictures of guests or volunteers if a driver's license was not available. Today an email went out to parents and the community stating links will be provided for those who are interested in volunteering, chaperoning, etc, for background checks. Information will be stored in the system, and it won't expire. Interesting....
I found another article on here where the author mentioned a lawsuit in which Verkada agreed to a settlement payment of $2.95M in 2024 for "... Data Security Failures and Deceptive Practices."
Lovely.
Thanks, Misty!
I wasn’t terribly familiar with Verkada (outside of my brief mention in the post) until you elaborated on it it in your reply, but that definitely seems like a platform worth interrogating further. I’m sorry to hear it sounds like your child’s school district is moving full steam ahead with it; it’s especially upsetting when tools like these are used to target children or when they may be caught up in a system like that as a sort of collateral damage.
Hopefully some good can come from you spreading awareness about it and systems like it amongst other parents and some action can be taken! I imagine a school board meeting would be a great place to begin asking questions.