EmbeddingGemma 2: an open, lightweight multimodal embedding model
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Hacker News·7d ago·5 min read
Texas city demands $2M for public records on Flock usage
TL;DR
North Richland Hills, Texas, is charging $2.3 million for public records on Flock's AI-enabled surveillance cameras, raising concerns about transparency and misuse. This exorbitant fee is seen as a tactic to suppress scrutiny of police practices involving these systems.
✦ Why It Matters
Consider advocating for transparency in public records requests related to surveillance technology in your community.
Key Takeaways
- Investigate local public records policies regarding surveillance data.
- Engage with anti-surveillance advocacy groups for support.
- Monitor law enforcement practices related to AI surveillance.
- Push for legislative reforms to ensure transparency in police technology use.
Full Summary
Cities across the U.S. are facing backlash for charging exorbitant fees for public records related to Flock, an AI-enabled camera system that tracks vehicles. In North Richland Hills, officials requested $2.3 million to fulfill a records request, claiming it would take 14 years of labor to sift through a terabyte of data.
This fee is seen as a tactic to suppress transparency regarding police use of surveillance technology. While some agencies have provided records for free, others have quoted fees as high as $121,000.
The lack of consistent fee structures raises concerns about accountability, especially after incidents of police misuse of Flock cameras, including stalking. Recent cases have prompted calls for reform and increased scrutiny of surveillance practices in Texas, with Governor Greg Abbott halting funding for Flock in response to public outcry.