Mike Katz-Lacabe
@mlacabe.bsky.social
Director of Research at Oakland Privacy focused on law enforcement surveillance technologies (ALPR, StingRay, etc) and public records requests. Parent. Spouse. Card-carrying Antifa member.
Reposted by Mike Katz-Lacabe
Flock's invasive surveillance practices are fueling mass deportations and destruction of our communities. It is vital that we fight back, and this week Oakland takes center stage, demanding that Flock 'Safety' be shown a swift exit 👉 🚪 🙅♀️
www.mercurynews.com/2025/11/19/o...
www.mercurynews.com/2025/11/19/o...
November 20, 2025 at 7:50 PM
Flock's invasive surveillance practices are fueling mass deportations and destruction of our communities. It is vital that we fight back, and this week Oakland takes center stage, demanding that Flock 'Safety' be shown a swift exit 👉 🚪 🙅♀️
www.mercurynews.com/2025/11/19/o...
www.mercurynews.com/2025/11/19/o...
Reposted by Mike Katz-Lacabe
NEW AP INVESTIGATION: With license plate readers and local law enforcement partnerships, Border Patrol is monitoring American drivers and detaining those exhibiting ‘suspicious’ travel patterns in the U.S. interior. w/
@garanceburke.bsky.social. apnews.com/article/immi...
@garanceburke.bsky.social. apnews.com/article/immi...
Border Patrol is monitoring US drivers and detaining those with 'suspicious' travel patterns
The U.S. Border Patrol is monitoring millions of American drivers nationwide in a secretive program to identify and detain people whose travel patterns it deems suspicious.
apnews.com
November 20, 2025 at 5:48 PM
NEW AP INVESTIGATION: With license plate readers and local law enforcement partnerships, Border Patrol is monitoring American drivers and detaining those exhibiting ‘suspicious’ travel patterns in the U.S. interior. w/
@garanceburke.bsky.social. apnews.com/article/immi...
@garanceburke.bsky.social. apnews.com/article/immi...
Reposted by Mike Katz-Lacabe
Yesterday, Trump defended the Saudi Crown Prince in the Oval Office.
He said he had “nothing” to do with the murder of Jamal Khashoggi.
But I reviewed a call while serving on Trump’s NSC that I believe would be of interest to the Khashoggi family and the American people.
Release the transcript.
He said he had “nothing” to do with the murder of Jamal Khashoggi.
But I reviewed a call while serving on Trump’s NSC that I believe would be of interest to the Khashoggi family and the American people.
Release the transcript.
November 19, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Yesterday, Trump defended the Saudi Crown Prince in the Oval Office.
He said he had “nothing” to do with the murder of Jamal Khashoggi.
But I reviewed a call while serving on Trump’s NSC that I believe would be of interest to the Khashoggi family and the American people.
Release the transcript.
He said he had “nothing” to do with the murder of Jamal Khashoggi.
But I reviewed a call while serving on Trump’s NSC that I believe would be of interest to the Khashoggi family and the American people.
Release the transcript.
Reposted by Mike Katz-Lacabe
I think the word you’re looking for is “kept”
Elon Musk’s foundation gave away a record $474 million in 2024, with the vast majority again going to entities he controls
Elon Musk Gave Away $474 Million in 2024, Mostly to Entities He Controls
Elon Musk’s foundation gave away a record $474 million in 2024, with the vast majority again going to entities he controls.
bloom.bg
November 19, 2025 at 2:14 AM
I think the word you’re looking for is “kept”
Reposted by Mike Katz-Lacabe
If the President can impose his own taxes and use the proceeds to spend on his own projects, all without Congress, we have a dictatorship not a constitutional republic.
BREAKING: Deputy White House Chief of Staff James Blair said the administration is eyeing ways to give millions of Americans $2,000 dividend checks from tariff revenue without congressional approval, per Bloomberg.
November 19, 2025 at 2:46 AM
If the President can impose his own taxes and use the proceeds to spend on his own projects, all without Congress, we have a dictatorship not a constitutional republic.
Reposted by Mike Katz-Lacabe
🔴 Scolding a U.S. reporter for asking questions about MBS ordering a fellow journalist to be bonesawed to death signals to dictators everywhere that they can murder journalists with impunity.
Read our full statement below:
Read our full statement below:
November 19, 2025 at 2:28 AM
🔴 Scolding a U.S. reporter for asking questions about MBS ordering a fellow journalist to be bonesawed to death signals to dictators everywhere that they can murder journalists with impunity.
Read our full statement below:
Read our full statement below:
Reposted by Mike Katz-Lacabe
Oakland is fast-tracking a $2.25M contract with Flock Safety to buy more surveillance cameras and software that would tap into private security systems like doorbell cameras and feed the livestreams into OPD’s network of automated license plate readers.
November 18, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Oakland is fast-tracking a $2.25M contract with Flock Safety to buy more surveillance cameras and software that would tap into private security systems like doorbell cameras and feed the livestreams into OPD’s network of automated license plate readers.
Reposted by Mike Katz-Lacabe
This interview w/ Ring's pro-police surveillance CEO is deceptive in a number of ways.
He seems to suggest police can *only* get footage if you agree to share it, but makes no mention of what happens if police present a warrant straight to Ring.
He seems to suggest police can *only* get footage if you agree to share it, but makes no mention of what happens if police present a warrant straight to Ring.
Ring’s Jamie Siminoff thinks AI can reduce crime
The head of smart camera maker Ring on why he returned to Amazon, and what he thinks AI can do for home security.
www.theverge.com
November 18, 2025 at 9:04 PM
This interview w/ Ring's pro-police surveillance CEO is deceptive in a number of ways.
He seems to suggest police can *only* get footage if you agree to share it, but makes no mention of what happens if police present a warrant straight to Ring.
He seems to suggest police can *only* get footage if you agree to share it, but makes no mention of what happens if police present a warrant straight to Ring.
Reposted by Mike Katz-Lacabe
Every American newspaper's op-ed page should be focused on Jamal Khashoggi's life, work, and legacy for the rest of the week.
I will never forget having to edit Jamal’s final, posthumous piece for the Washington Post, after he was murdered.
He was calling for free expression in the Arab world. You can read it here :
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/glo...
He was calling for free expression in the Arab world. You can read it here :
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/glo...
Opinion | Jamal Khashoggi: What the Arab world needs most is free expression
The Arab world needs a modern version of the old transnational media so citizens can be informed about global events.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 18, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Every American newspaper's op-ed page should be focused on Jamal Khashoggi's life, work, and legacy for the rest of the week.
Reposted by Mike Katz-Lacabe
Bottom line: Ring wants to make money & police want surveillance. They will work together to sell cameras. Awareness of your space is nice, but no one has shown that that much surveillance actually makes towns safer. Gets some convictions? Maybe. Prevents crime and lower crime rates all around? No!
November 18, 2025 at 9:04 PM
Bottom line: Ring wants to make money & police want surveillance. They will work together to sell cameras. Awareness of your space is nice, but no one has shown that that much surveillance actually makes towns safer. Gets some convictions? Maybe. Prevents crime and lower crime rates all around? No!
Reposted by Mike Katz-Lacabe
The federal court that struck down Texas' redistricting plan says the letter from a Trump DOJ appointee that kicked off the whole thing is "challenging to unpack the DOJ Letter because it contains so many factual, legal, and typographical errors. "
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
November 18, 2025 at 7:22 PM
The federal court that struck down Texas' redistricting plan says the letter from a Trump DOJ appointee that kicked off the whole thing is "challenging to unpack the DOJ Letter because it contains so many factual, legal, and typographical errors. "
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Reposted by Mike Katz-Lacabe
New: the airlines (Delta, United, American, etc) will shut down a program in which it sold hundreds of millions of your flight records to government agencies, including ICE, FBI, ATF, more. Comes after intense lawmaker-pressure and 404 Media's months-long reporting
www.404media.co/airlines-wil...
www.404media.co/airlines-wil...
Airlines Will Shut Down Program That Sold Your Flights Records to Government
The move comes after intense pressure from lawmakers and 404 Media’s months-long reporting about the airline industry's data selling practices.
www.404media.co
November 18, 2025 at 6:44 PM
New: the airlines (Delta, United, American, etc) will shut down a program in which it sold hundreds of millions of your flight records to government agencies, including ICE, FBI, ATF, more. Comes after intense lawmaker-pressure and 404 Media's months-long reporting
www.404media.co/airlines-wil...
www.404media.co/airlines-wil...
Reposted by Mike Katz-Lacabe
🚨BREAKING NEWS🚨
We're suing the city of San Jose for its pervasive ALPR surveillance program. With nearly 500 ALPRs, the SJPD allows its officers to search millions of records, all without a warrant. These unconstitutional searches must be stopped. Read the complaint: www.eff.org/cases/siren...
We're suing the city of San Jose for its pervasive ALPR surveillance program. With nearly 500 ALPRs, the SJPD allows its officers to search millions of records, all without a warrant. These unconstitutional searches must be stopped. Read the complaint: www.eff.org/cases/siren...
SIREN and CAIR-CA v. San Jose
The San Jose Police Department has blanketed the city’s roadways with nearly five hundred Automatic License Plate Readers (ALPRs). The police department uses this unblinking surveillance network to
www.eff.org
November 18, 2025 at 6:43 PM
🚨BREAKING NEWS🚨
We're suing the city of San Jose for its pervasive ALPR surveillance program. With nearly 500 ALPRs, the SJPD allows its officers to search millions of records, all without a warrant. These unconstitutional searches must be stopped. Read the complaint: www.eff.org/cases/siren...
We're suing the city of San Jose for its pervasive ALPR surveillance program. With nearly 500 ALPRs, the SJPD allows its officers to search millions of records, all without a warrant. These unconstitutional searches must be stopped. Read the complaint: www.eff.org/cases/siren...
Reposted by Mike Katz-Lacabe
Today @eff.org & our @aclu-norcal.bsky.social team sued San Jose alleging its warrantless searches for driver locations are unconstitutional. This program is fed by a vast network of license plate readers and amasses people's private habits, associations, and movements www.aclunc.org/news/lawsuit...
Lawsuit Challenges San Jose’s Warrantless ALPR Mass Surveillance | ACLU of Northern CA
www.aclunc.org
November 18, 2025 at 7:09 PM
Today @eff.org & our @aclu-norcal.bsky.social team sued San Jose alleging its warrantless searches for driver locations are unconstitutional. This program is fed by a vast network of license plate readers and amasses people's private habits, associations, and movements www.aclunc.org/news/lawsuit...
Reposted by Mike Katz-Lacabe
Another essential @bennjordan.bsky.social video on #Flock!
"Privacy is a form of power that increases your control over your own destiny. And right now, you're at a junction where you're made to be so scared of your neighbors that you might be willing to give up that power."
#deflock #surveillance
"Privacy is a form of power that increases your control over your own destiny. And right now, you're at a junction where you're made to be so scared of your neighbors that you might be willing to give up that power."
#deflock #surveillance
The Cameras Tracking You Are A Security Nightmare
YouTube video by Benn Jordan
youtu.be
November 16, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Another essential @bennjordan.bsky.social video on #Flock!
"Privacy is a form of power that increases your control over your own destiny. And right now, you're at a junction where you're made to be so scared of your neighbors that you might be willing to give up that power."
#deflock #surveillance
"Privacy is a form of power that increases your control over your own destiny. And right now, you're at a junction where you're made to be so scared of your neighbors that you might be willing to give up that power."
#deflock #surveillance
Reposted by Mike Katz-Lacabe
Earlier this year, agents found videos showing violent sexual abuse of a young child. But the agents have since been asked to arrest undocumented immigrants, hindering progress toward rescue. This and more from @mhkeller.bsky.social and team in an important story.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/16/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/16/u...
Homeland Security Missions Falter Amid Focus on Deportations
www.nytimes.com
November 16, 2025 at 8:59 PM
Earlier this year, agents found videos showing violent sexual abuse of a young child. But the agents have since been asked to arrest undocumented immigrants, hindering progress toward rescue. This and more from @mhkeller.bsky.social and team in an important story.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/16/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/16/u...
Reposted by Mike Katz-Lacabe
Trump's illegal murders in the Caribbean just got worse. An internal DOJ memo on the bombings says the victims are waging war on the US, but per NYT, it extensively cites the WH's *own claims* to this effect as evidence!
It gets even darker than that. 1/
(new piece)
newrepublic.com/article/2032...
It gets even darker than that. 1/
(new piece)
newrepublic.com/article/2032...
Trump Boat Bombings Take Dark, Unnerving Turn with Leaked Memo Stunner
A new Trump administration memo argues that those carrying out the boat attacks can’t be prosecuted. Why? Because the administration says so!
newrepublic.com
November 15, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Trump's illegal murders in the Caribbean just got worse. An internal DOJ memo on the bombings says the victims are waging war on the US, but per NYT, it extensively cites the WH's *own claims* to this effect as evidence!
It gets even darker than that. 1/
(new piece)
newrepublic.com/article/2032...
It gets even darker than that. 1/
(new piece)
newrepublic.com/article/2032...
Reposted by Mike Katz-Lacabe
i just read something about grief from C.S. Lewis and his book, “A Grief Observed”
basically, when someone you love dies, it isn’t just them that you miss, but the parts of yourself that person brought out of you that can never be brought out again.
i feel that with my dad.
basically, when someone you love dies, it isn’t just them that you miss, but the parts of yourself that person brought out of you that can never be brought out again.
i feel that with my dad.
November 16, 2025 at 11:51 AM
i just read something about grief from C.S. Lewis and his book, “A Grief Observed”
basically, when someone you love dies, it isn’t just them that you miss, but the parts of yourself that person brought out of you that can never be brought out again.
i feel that with my dad.
basically, when someone you love dies, it isn’t just them that you miss, but the parts of yourself that person brought out of you that can never be brought out again.
i feel that with my dad.
Kern Co. Fire Department to award no-bid contract to Axon for body worn cameras for $189,688.
itsapps.kerncounty.com/clerk/minute...
itsapps.kerncounty.com/clerk/minute...
![REQUEST TO APPROVE SOLE SOURCE PROCUREMENT WITH AXON ENTERPRISE, INC. AND FIVE-YEAR STANDARDIZATION OF BODY WORN CAMERAS
(Fiscal Impact: $189,688 [FY 25-26: $37,536]; Fire Fund; Budgeted; Discretionary)
The Fire Department is requesting Board approval for the sole source procurement of eight (8) Axon Enterprise, Inc. Body Worn Cameras (BWCs) with supporting equipment and software in an amount not to exceed $189,688 over a five-year term beginning January 1, 2026.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:3gs76vcdj5ge4axhykfp2fm6/bafkreigjvgak3tqnzhnxswccd7vbjt2bmtzlxpnhn6uah422ji4gi7h4fu@jpeg)
November 15, 2025 at 11:08 PM
Kern Co. Fire Department to award no-bid contract to Axon for body worn cameras for $189,688.
itsapps.kerncounty.com/clerk/minute...
itsapps.kerncounty.com/clerk/minute...
November 15, 2025 at 11:01 PM
It's bad that 29% of those polled support extrajudicial executions (murder), but OMG 58% of Republicans support extrajudicial executions!
Source: www.reuters.com/world/us/jus...
Source: www.reuters.com/world/us/jus...
November 15, 2025 at 1:39 AM
It's bad that 29% of those polled support extrajudicial executions (murder), but OMG 58% of Republicans support extrajudicial executions!
Source: www.reuters.com/world/us/jus...
Source: www.reuters.com/world/us/jus...
The grift is strong in this administration.
NEW: DHS invoked the “national emergency” at the border to skirt competitive bidding rules for a $220 million taxpayer-funded ad campaign.
We found that a firm with deep ties to Kristi Noem secretly benefited from the deal.
We found that a firm with deep ties to Kristi Noem secretly benefited from the deal.
Kristi Noem-Tied Firm Secretly Got Piece of $220 Million DHS Campaign
The company is run by the husband of Noem’s chief DHS spokesperson and has personal and business ties to Noem and her aides. DHS invoked the “emergency” at the border to skirt competitive bidding rules for the taxpayer-funded campaign.
www.propublica.org
November 14, 2025 at 3:40 PM
The grift is strong in this administration.
Reposted by Mike Katz-Lacabe
Another cancelled Flock contract!
In this press release, Ferndale names that they are looking at other ALPR vendors.
The problem isn't Flock. The problem is ALPRs. ALPRs are violent tools.
The problem is how much power these tools grant police and corporations.
ferndalemi.gov/news/ferndal...
In this press release, Ferndale names that they are looking at other ALPR vendors.
The problem isn't Flock. The problem is ALPRs. ALPRs are violent tools.
The problem is how much power these tools grant police and corporations.
ferndalemi.gov/news/ferndal...
Ferndale Police Department Ends Partnership with Flock Safety - News - Ferndale
ferndalemi.gov
November 14, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Another cancelled Flock contract!
In this press release, Ferndale names that they are looking at other ALPR vendors.
The problem isn't Flock. The problem is ALPRs. ALPRs are violent tools.
The problem is how much power these tools grant police and corporations.
ferndalemi.gov/news/ferndal...
In this press release, Ferndale names that they are looking at other ALPR vendors.
The problem isn't Flock. The problem is ALPRs. ALPRs are violent tools.
The problem is how much power these tools grant police and corporations.
ferndalemi.gov/news/ferndal...
Reposted by Mike Katz-Lacabe
“Housing shortage – Jews to blame," letter sticker, German Reich, 1938
zwangsraeume.berlin/en/context
zwangsraeume.berlin/en/context
November 14, 2025 at 2:16 AM
“Housing shortage – Jews to blame," letter sticker, German Reich, 1938
zwangsraeume.berlin/en/context
zwangsraeume.berlin/en/context
Reposted by Mike Katz-Lacabe
If Judge Currie rules that, as is self-evident, Lindsey Halligan has simply been playing dress-up US Attorney for the last two months, does Halligan go back to shutting down factually accurate exhibits on slavery at the Smithsonian?
Or does Trump just give her her Ambassadorial sinecure?
Or does Trump just give her her Ambassadorial sinecure?
November 13, 2025 at 5:20 PM
If Judge Currie rules that, as is self-evident, Lindsey Halligan has simply been playing dress-up US Attorney for the last two months, does Halligan go back to shutting down factually accurate exhibits on slavery at the Smithsonian?
Or does Trump just give her her Ambassadorial sinecure?
Or does Trump just give her her Ambassadorial sinecure?