In a bid to address public concerns over surveillance technology, the Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement is organizing a detailed discussion on Flock cameras. The event, titled “What the Flock? Community Discussion: Understanding Flock Cameras, Surveillance & Your Privacy,” aims to clarify the workings of Flock cameras, detail the nature of the data collected, explain who has access to this information, and guide residents on checking if their license plates have been searched.
This initiative follows incidents involving misuse of the Flock system. In 2025, an employee of the Athens Police Department was terminated for unlawfully searching for his ex-wife’s license plate multiple times. Similarly, a University of Georgia staff member faced a suspension of 20 days without pay and was demoted after performing two unauthorized searches using the Flock system; his access to the system was subsequently revoked.
Representatives from the Athens-Clarke County Police Department will be present at the event to address queries about the department’s policies on Flock technology usage, data access protocols, and measures for oversight and accountability.
The discussion is scheduled for Monday, October 5, at 5:30 pm at the Athens Regional Library. Interested participants can register by visiting www.aadmovement.org/events.
