A collective of online creators with 46 million followers is urging Lowe’s and Home Depot to sever ties with Flock Safety, a surveillance tech company. The request follows concerns over the use of automated license plate readers (ALPRs), which critics argue could compromise the privacy and safety of shoppers, particularly marginalized communities.
In a letter, 56 content creators called for the termination of contracts with Flock, expressing fears that captured data might be accessed by law enforcement to profile immigrants and others.
Flock claims its technology aids crime prevention and solving but has faced backlash over potential misuse. The advocacy group Fight For The Future, which organized the protesters, highlights a report indicating that local police could utilize Flock’s network for immigration inquiries.
While Home Depot defends the use of Flock’s cameras as tools for theft prevention, they assert that they do not share data with immigration agencies. Creators involved in the campaign emphasize their commitment to consumer privacy and the necessity for corporate accountability in surveillance practices.
