Cameras sold for stolen vehicle recovery are now generating $1,251 mailed fines for phone use, raising serious legal and privacy concerns.

A woman drives with both hands on the wheel. Her phone sits face-down on her lap. No officer pulls her over. No lights flash. Weeks later, a $1,251 ticket arrives in the mail. The evidence: a single frame from a Camera surveillance app. The charge: phone use while driving.

Automated camera companies market their devices as automated license plate readers — tools for catching stolen cars, flagging warrants, and aiding serious investigations.

Sold as a Crime Tool. Used as a Fine Machine.

  • EnsignWashout@startrek.websiteEnglish
    1·
    10 days ago

    Let’s be sure to name and shame, for anyone who missed it: Georgia and Florida.

    Company is - you guessed it - Flock. (Mention of Flock in the article has been removed with a correction.)

    • pelespirit@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
      1·
      10 days ago

      Flock is shit, but apparently not the one who did this. Ig they could be lying?

      Flock Safety reached out to us to clarify that our information was wrong. Flock cameras were not involved with the woman driving with her phone story. Alexandra Parade, where the incident took place, is a well traveled coastal highway with systems operated by state revenue programs. We have corrected that and removed any mention of Flock being involved with that story.