{"id":2675790,"date":"2026-10-04T18:02:47","date_gmt":"2026-10-04T22:02:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/map-exposes-flocks-surprisingly-massive-network-of-300k-surveillance-cameras-theyre-trying-to-scrub-it\/"},"modified":"2026-10-04T18:05:06","modified_gmt":"2026-10-04T22:05:06","slug":"map-exposes-flocks-surprisingly-massive-network-of-300k-surveillance-cameras-theyre-trying-to-scrub-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/map-exposes-flocks-surprisingly-massive-network-of-300k-surveillance-cameras-theyre-trying-to-scrub-it\/","title":{"rendered":"Map Exposes Flocks Surprisingly Massive Network of 300K Surveillance Cameras &#8211; They&#8217;re Trying to Scrub it"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">32<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fmap-exposes-flocks-surprisingly-massive-network-of-300k-surveillance-cameras-theyre-trying-to-scrub-it%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2675790&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>A corporate watchdog is attempting to remove a map revealing that Flock Safety\u2019s AI-powered surveillance camera network is larger than publicly claimed. The map, created by cybersecurity researcher Joshua Michael, shows over 300,000 Flock devices nationwide, including more than 170,000 cameras. DOPPEL, an AI-driven security platform, filed a trademark complaint to have the map taken down, highlighting concerns over privacy and data security. The map was constructed using publicly exposed location data,which Flock had left accessible. Flock previously reported operating around 120,000 cameras, but critics argue the company neglects citizen privacy and poorly secures its data. Lawmakers discussed these issues during a Senate hearing,where Flock&#8217;s CEO did not attend. Some officials, including Sheriff Chad Bianco, defend the cameras and dismiss critiques as misinformation, emphasizing the importance of security. The debate highlights tensions between surveillance technology deployment, privacy rights, and corporate clarity.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><br \/>\n<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\"><br \/>\n<?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><html><body><\/p>\n<section> \t\t\t\t<script>console.log(\"ad slot (AC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC2)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC3)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC4)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (REP_0)\")<\/script><\/p>\n<p>A brand-protection firm is working to take down a map that shows Flock Safety\u2019s artificial intelligence-powered camera network is larger than the company publicly stated.<\/p>\n<p class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__paragraph\">Cybersecurity researcher Joshua Michael published a <a class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__link\" href=\"https:\/\/flocksurveillance.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">map<\/a> on Wednesday showing more than 300,000 Flock devices across the U.S., including more than 170,000 Flock cameras. <a class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.doppel.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Doppel<\/a>, an \u201cAI-native social engineering defense platform,\u201d filed a trademark complaint Thursday to have the map removed, the Intercept <a class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__link\" href=\"https:\/\/theintercept.com\/2026\/09\/24\/how-many-flock-devices-in-united-states-300000\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">reported<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__paragraph\">These findings arise as lawmakers heard statements about the issues surrounding these cameras in a Wednesday Senate Judiciary Subcommittee <a class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=klE498xFjOY\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">hearing<\/a> on Crime and Counterterrorism.<\/p>\n<p class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__paragraph\">Michael built his \u201cFlock Surveillance Map\u201d with Flock location data he extracted with a public login key the company had left exposed, according to The Intercept. He said he first told Flock about the leak in Nov. 2025, but the company only responded after he reached out a third time to say it was looking into the problem. The surveillance company never followed up after that, Michael told the Intercept<\/p>\n<p class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__paragraph\">Flock previously stated it operates roughly 120,000 cameras on Aug. 2, <a class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/technology\/2026\/08\/02\/how-police-officers-used-vast-network-cameras-spy-their-exes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">according<\/a> to the Washington Post.<\/p>\n<p class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__paragraph\">Critics of the cameras argue Flock should be more concerned about citizens\u2019 privacy than its own.<\/p>\n<p class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__paragraph\">\u201c[I]t is ridiculous that a company that clearly does not care about other people\u2019s privacy at all is suddenly incredibly worried about its own privacy, and and I would say that if there is a group out there that is actively trying to protect Flock\u2019s privacy, maybe their efforts would be better concentrated on protecting the privacy of everybody else,\u201d Chad Marlow, senior policy counsel at the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), told the Daily Caller News Foundation. Marlow was among those who <a class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.judiciary.senate.gov\/imo\/media\/doc\/b54507b1-a8f4-8ea9-424e-097b9a9a8700\/2026-09-23-PM_Testimony_Marlow_0d08953c-9675-49ad-82c7-7fda1de2fd26.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">testified<\/a> at Wednesday\u2019s hearing.<\/p>\n<p class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__paragraph\">\u201c[I]n general, Flock has been absolutely horrendous when it comes to securing its data and its network and its cameras. I think that\u2019s been demonstrated over and over again,\u201d Marlow added.<\/p>\n<p class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__paragraph\">Flock Safety and Doppel did not immediately respond to the DCNF\u2019s requests for comment.<\/p>\n<p class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__paragraph\">\u201cSurveillance vendors are often secretive about how many devices they deploy and where. Police departments often assist in this secrecy, suggesting that there\u2019s something strange or suspicious about wanting to know who\u2019s watching you,\u201d Alex Marthews, national chair of Restore The Fourth, told the DCNF. \u201cBut the fact is that every ALPR [automated license plate reader] camera infringes on Americans\u2019 privacy.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__paragraph\">However, one pro-Flock sheriff, who has called himself \u201cone of the biggest proponents of ALPRs\u201d pushed back on Flock\u2019s detractors.<\/p>\n<p class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__paragraph\">\u201cI am blown away that so many so-called leaders, influencers, and politicians have been duped by bad actors intending to create more mistrust and division,\u201d Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, president of the California State Sheriffs\u2019 Association, told the DCNF.<\/p>\n<p class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__paragraph\">\u201cThe vast majority of negative information is a flat-out lie. There is enough information out there showing the foreign and far left influence that media outlets should be reporting it,\u201d Bianco added.<\/p>\n<p class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__paragraph\">The sheriff also said the people behind the map should face consequences, though Michael said he only used publicly exposed data to create his map.<\/p>\n<p class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__paragraph\">\u201cAs far as the information illegally accessed and published, those accountable [sic] need to be arrested and held accountable,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__paragraph\">Bianco had previously told the DCNF that anti-Flock sentiment is rooted in what he termed the left-wing \u201clove affair with criminals.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__paragraph\">Lawmakers pressed Flock on its security and privacy practices at Wednesday\u2019s Senate subcommittee hearing, where Michael\u2019s research was cited. Flock\u2019s CEO did not appear.<\/p>\n<p class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__paragraph\">\u201cIf you haven\u2019t heard of Flock \u2026 Flock\u2019s probably heard of you,\u201d Republican Sen. Josh Hawley <a class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__link\" href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/bf2MAquoey4?si=bOA7otPYA7UBLHRG\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">said<\/a> in the Senate Judiciary subcommittee hearing on Wednesday, posted by C-SPAN on YouTube.<\/p>\n<p class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__paragraph\">Meanwhile, Flock is hiring a Public Policy Manager, <a class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.daybook.com\/job\/policy-manager-Y37GpTjnma6LBDtRN\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">according<\/a> to a Wednesday job listing posted on Daybook.<\/p>\n<p class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__paragraph\">\u201cYou will lead the effort to conduct legal research, track legislative changes, and draft critical communications for customers, communities, and elected officials, ensuring every message balances legal accuracy with policy-driven perspective to build lasting transparency and trust,\u201d the job description reads in part.<\/p>\n<p class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__paragraph\">\u201cIf they hire the new person, are they going to be eligible for the employee buyout program?\u201d Marlow told the DCNF.<\/p>\n<div class=\"disclaimer\">\n<p>All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. 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