Activists protest billionaire Chris Larsen's support for Flock surveillance cameras
A coalition of immigrant-rights and climate groups demonstrated outside cryptocurrency billionaire Chris Larsen's San Francisco home, condemning his backing of Flock automated license-plate readers.
On Friday, a broad coalition of immigrant-rights, climate and other activist groups gathered at the San Francisco mansion of cryptocurrency billionaire Chris Larsen to denounce his financial support for Flock Safety's automated license-plate readers. Demonstrators installed cardboard mock-cameras and displayed pink posters questioning the safety benefits of the technology. Sunrise Movement Bay Area organizer Luc Bouchard claimed that there is scant evidence that such cameras reduce crime and accused Larsen of being the top tech billionaire investor in San Francisco's surveillance network.
The protest coincides with heightened public alarm over more than 117,000 Flock cameras across the United States, of which over 16,000 operate in California, making the state one of the most densely monitored. Recent revelations showed Flock devices even in Yosemite National Park, though park officials say they monitor traffic rather than read plates. In response to privacy pressure, Flock announced it will cut data-storage time from 30 days to seven and require police to justify searches. Activists also launched a website, billionairewatchparty.com, to track such investments.
Why it matters
The protest highlights public backlash against expanding surveillance technology funded by wealthy investors.
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