Privacy Watch STL
@privacywatchstl.bsky.social
MO as in no 'mo surveillance
Reposted by Privacy Watch STL
Everyone should have the right to speak up against injustice without ending up in a database. www.eff.org/deeplinks/2...
How Cops Are Using Flock Safety's ALPR Network to Surveil Protesters
Through an analysis of 10 months of nationwide searches on Flock Safety's servers, we discovered that more than 50 federal, state, and local agencies ran hundreds of searches through Flock's national
www.eff.org
December 14, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Everyone should have the right to speak up against injustice without ending up in a database. www.eff.org/deeplinks/2...
Reposted by Privacy Watch STL
Tacoma Drops Shot Spotter Program
Tacoma Drops Shot Spotter Program
tacomaweekly.com
November 11, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Reposted by Privacy Watch STL
Homeland Security wants access to driver’s license info for its powerful citizenship data system, and may turn to an obscure data sharing network for it — a move that could avoid having to negotiate with states
My latest for @stateline.org
stateline.org/2025/11/25/h...
My latest for @stateline.org
stateline.org/2025/11/25/h...
Homeland Security wants state driver’s license data for sweeping citizenship program • Stateline
The Trump administration wants access to state driver’s license data on millions of U.S. residents as it builds a powerful citizenship verification program amid its clampdown on voter fraud and illega...
stateline.org
November 25, 2025 at 9:09 PM
Homeland Security wants access to driver’s license info for its powerful citizenship data system, and may turn to an obscure data sharing network for it — a move that could avoid having to negotiate with states
My latest for @stateline.org
stateline.org/2025/11/25/h...
My latest for @stateline.org
stateline.org/2025/11/25/h...
Reposted by Privacy Watch STL
It's no secret that 2025 has given Americans plenty to protest about. But as news cameras showed protesters filling streets of cities across the country, cops were watching those streets through different lenses: Flock Safety license plate readers that tracked every car. www.eff.org/deeplinks/2...
How Cops Are Using Flock Safety's ALPR Network to Surveil Protesters
Through an analysis of 10 months of nationwide searches on Flock Safety's servers, we discovered that more than 50 federal, state, and local agencies ran hundreds of searches through Flock's national
www.eff.org
November 21, 2025 at 12:02 AM
It's no secret that 2025 has given Americans plenty to protest about. But as news cameras showed protesters filling streets of cities across the country, cops were watching those streets through different lenses: Flock Safety license plate readers that tracked every car. www.eff.org/deeplinks/2...
Reposted by Privacy Watch STL
"the system’s algorithm can flag an unusual 'pattern of life' for human inspection"
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 6:50 PM
"the system’s algorithm can flag an unusual 'pattern of life' for human inspection"
Reposted by Privacy Watch STL
Control of your own devices is temporary, but surveillance is forever.
Google stopped letting owners of early Nest themostats remotely control their devices last month. But it's still remotely collecting extensive surveillance data from them: https://www.theverge.com/news/820600/google-nest-learning-thermostat-downgraded-data-collection #privacy
Google is collecting troves of data from downgraded Nest thermostats
The thermostats may no longer connect to Google’s app, but they still transmit your data.
www.theverge.com
November 17, 2025 at 11:19 PM
Control of your own devices is temporary, but surveillance is forever.
Reposted by Privacy Watch STL
Some key takeaways from today’s hearing:
-Many acknowledged that Senate KOSA is a threat to free expression.
-Bills discussed have similar issues to KOSA, esp online ID checks.
-The bad idea that surveillance + censorship will keep kids safe online drove the discussion.
KEEP AT EM! ✊
-Many acknowledged that Senate KOSA is a threat to free expression.
-Bills discussed have similar issues to KOSA, esp online ID checks.
-The bad idea that surveillance + censorship will keep kids safe online drove the discussion.
KEEP AT EM! ✊
NEW: We hosted a live-stream of today's House Energy & Commerce committee hearing to provide commentary + analysis as Congress considers bills that would mandate online ID checks across the internet and censor very important resources for young people.
www.fightforthefuture.org/actions/stop...
www.fightforthefuture.org/actions/stop...
Stop Online ID Checks Week of Action
Stop Online ID Checks WEEK OF ACTION December 1-5 WHAT TO DO
www.fightforthefuture.org
December 2, 2025 at 11:09 PM
Some key takeaways from today’s hearing:
-Many acknowledged that Senate KOSA is a threat to free expression.
-Bills discussed have similar issues to KOSA, esp online ID checks.
-The bad idea that surveillance + censorship will keep kids safe online drove the discussion.
KEEP AT EM! ✊
-Many acknowledged that Senate KOSA is a threat to free expression.
-Bills discussed have similar issues to KOSA, esp online ID checks.
-The bad idea that surveillance + censorship will keep kids safe online drove the discussion.
KEEP AT EM! ✊
Reposted by Privacy Watch STL
🚨‼️As of yesterday KOSA is at 64 cosponsors with @vanhollen.senate.gov + @kim.senate.gov - who claim to support LGTBQ+ rights but are clearly okay with supporting legislation that’ll censor us off the internet- newly signed on.
You know what to do: www.stopkosa.com
You know what to do: www.stopkosa.com
October 24, 2025 at 5:02 PM
🚨‼️As of yesterday KOSA is at 64 cosponsors with @vanhollen.senate.gov + @kim.senate.gov - who claim to support LGTBQ+ rights but are clearly okay with supporting legislation that’ll censor us off the internet- newly signed on.
You know what to do: www.stopkosa.com
You know what to do: www.stopkosa.com
Reposted by Privacy Watch STL
A Vast Camera System Now Feeds Information to Police on Drivers Across the US truthout.org/articles/a-v...
A Vast Camera System Now Feeds Information to Police on Drivers Across the US
Flock cameras have been called invasive, insecure, and unconstitutional. Can a grassroots movement beat them back?
truthout.org
November 27, 2025 at 1:53 PM
A Vast Camera System Now Feeds Information to Police on Drivers Across the US truthout.org/articles/a-v...
Reposted by Privacy Watch STL
AI companies should protect your conversations from bulk surveillance by requiring search warrants and pushing back against overbroad requests. www.eff.org/deeplinks/2...
AI Chatbot Companies Should Protect Your Conversations From Bulk
AI companies have a responsibility to their users to make sure the warrant requirement is strictly followed, to resist unlawful bulk surveillance requests, and to be transparent with their users
www.eff.org
December 2, 2025 at 11:04 PM
AI companies should protect your conversations from bulk surveillance by requiring search warrants and pushing back against overbroad requests. www.eff.org/deeplinks/2...
Reposted by Privacy Watch STL
Did the Houston METRO perform a facial recognition search on a protester on behalf of the Israeli Consulate in Houston?
www.sassisouth.org/clearviewhou...
www.sassisouth.org/clearviewhou...
Clearview AI in Houston — Southerners Against Surveillance Systems & Infrastructure
www.sassisouth.org
December 2, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Did the Houston METRO perform a facial recognition search on a protester on behalf of the Israeli Consulate in Houston?
www.sassisouth.org/clearviewhou...
www.sassisouth.org/clearviewhou...
Reposted by Privacy Watch STL
Pro-tip: Never share your location with anyone, especially Big Tech.
Stay safe out there, and read more about Instagram’s new Friends Map here:
proton.me/blog/instagr...
5/5
Stay safe out there, and read more about Instagram’s new Friends Map here:
proton.me/blog/instagr...
5/5
Instagram's new 'Friend Map' puts your privacy at risk | Proton
The new 'Friend Map' feature on Instagram might be sharing your precise location without your knowledge. Here's how to turn it off — and why you might want to.
proton.me
August 11, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Pro-tip: Never share your location with anyone, especially Big Tech.
Stay safe out there, and read more about Instagram’s new Friends Map here:
proton.me/blog/instagr...
5/5
Stay safe out there, and read more about Instagram’s new Friends Map here:
proton.me/blog/instagr...
5/5
Reposted by Privacy Watch STL
In the Instagram app:
➡️ Messages → Map → ⚙️ Settings → “No one”
Then go one step further:
🍏 iOS: Settings → Privacy → Location Services → Instagram → “Never”
🤖 Android: Settings → Location → App permissions → Instagram → “Deny”
4/5
➡️ Messages → Map → ⚙️ Settings → “No one”
Then go one step further:
🍏 iOS: Settings → Privacy → Location Services → Instagram → “Never”
🤖 Android: Settings → Location → App permissions → Instagram → “Deny”
4/5
August 11, 2025 at 2:11 PM
In the Instagram app:
➡️ Messages → Map → ⚙️ Settings → “No one”
Then go one step further:
🍏 iOS: Settings → Privacy → Location Services → Instagram → “Never”
🤖 Android: Settings → Location → App permissions → Instagram → “Deny”
4/5
➡️ Messages → Map → ⚙️ Settings → “No one”
Then go one step further:
🍏 iOS: Settings → Privacy → Location Services → Instagram → “Never”
🤖 Android: Settings → Location → App permissions → Instagram → “Deny”
4/5
Reposted by Privacy Watch STL
📍 Location data is gold:
– Advertisers buy it to target you 🔎
– Data brokers resell it 🤑
– Law enforcement can grab it without a warrant 👮
Here’s how to shut it down… 👇
3/5
– Advertisers buy it to target you 🔎
– Data brokers resell it 🤑
– Law enforcement can grab it without a warrant 👮
Here’s how to shut it down… 👇
3/5
August 11, 2025 at 2:11 PM
📍 Location data is gold:
– Advertisers buy it to target you 🔎
– Data brokers resell it 🤑
– Law enforcement can grab it without a warrant 👮
Here’s how to shut it down… 👇
3/5
– Advertisers buy it to target you 🔎
– Data brokers resell it 🤑
– Law enforcement can grab it without a warrant 👮
Here’s how to shut it down… 👇
3/5
Reposted by Privacy Watch STL
“Friend Map” displays your live location to people you follow for 24 hours.
If you’ve ever tagged your location in a Story or Reel, there’s a good chance Instagram already has the green light to track you.
And they’re not just tracking you for fun… 👇
2/5
If you’ve ever tagged your location in a Story or Reel, there’s a good chance Instagram already has the green light to track you.
And they’re not just tracking you for fun… 👇
2/5
August 11, 2025 at 2:11 PM
“Friend Map” displays your live location to people you follow for 24 hours.
If you’ve ever tagged your location in a Story or Reel, there’s a good chance Instagram already has the green light to track you.
And they’re not just tracking you for fun… 👇
2/5
If you’ve ever tagged your location in a Story or Reel, there’s a good chance Instagram already has the green light to track you.
And they’re not just tracking you for fun… 👇
2/5
Reposted by Privacy Watch STL
Instagram’s “Friend Map” sounds like a fun way for friends to share their location.
Unfortunately, Meta thinks your friends include Meta's own employees, advertisers, and cops.
Here’s why & how to turn it off 🧵
1/5
Unfortunately, Meta thinks your friends include Meta's own employees, advertisers, and cops.
Here’s why & how to turn it off 🧵
1/5
August 11, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Instagram’s “Friend Map” sounds like a fun way for friends to share their location.
Unfortunately, Meta thinks your friends include Meta's own employees, advertisers, and cops.
Here’s why & how to turn it off 🧵
1/5
Unfortunately, Meta thinks your friends include Meta's own employees, advertisers, and cops.
Here’s why & how to turn it off 🧵
1/5
Reposted by Privacy Watch STL
Despite BPD Chief Morse saying ShotSpotter isn't worth the cost, the company is sneaking behind closed doors to get money to resign.
The company doesn't care about saving lives. They only care about money.
The company doesn't care about saving lives. They only care about money.
February 7, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Despite BPD Chief Morse saying ShotSpotter isn't worth the cost, the company is sneaking behind closed doors to get money to resign.
The company doesn't care about saving lives. They only care about money.
The company doesn't care about saving lives. They only care about money.
Reposted by Privacy Watch STL
In December, BPD Chief said, "the department could not find any documented cases of ShotSpotter being the only report of finding a gunshot victim to save someone's life..."
www.wbrz.com/news/brpd-da...
www.wbrz.com/news/brpd-da...
BRPD, DA's office share repercussions of budget cuts in 2025
BATON ROUGE — The Baton Rouge Police Department is facing a reduced budget for 2025.
www.wbrz.com
February 7, 2025 at 7:40 PM
In December, BPD Chief said, "the department could not find any documented cases of ShotSpotter being the only report of finding a gunshot victim to save someone's life..."
www.wbrz.com/news/brpd-da...
www.wbrz.com/news/brpd-da...
Reposted by Privacy Watch STL
News out of Baton Rouge is that the BPD cancelled their contract, effective Jan 1, cause of a budget deficit BUT they are still receiving ShotSpotter services for free for now. Why would SoundThinking offer ShotSpotter for free?
www.wbrz.com/news/brpd-wo...
www.wbrz.com/news/brpd-wo...
BRPD working to navigate through budget cuts with 2025 budget
BATON ROUGE - The Baton Rouge Police Department is one of the first departments to feel the cuts happening to their budget following the incorporation of St. George, which has them currently operating...
www.wbrz.com
February 7, 2025 at 7:40 PM
News out of Baton Rouge is that the BPD cancelled their contract, effective Jan 1, cause of a budget deficit BUT they are still receiving ShotSpotter services for free for now. Why would SoundThinking offer ShotSpotter for free?
www.wbrz.com/news/brpd-wo...
www.wbrz.com/news/brpd-wo...
Reposted by Privacy Watch STL
"I cannot support this continuation of this contract because I do not think the technology is there"
More importantly, even if ShotSpotter "worked" it still wouldn't keep anyone safe.
reason.com/2025/02/12/l...
More importantly, even if ShotSpotter "worked" it still wouldn't keep anyone safe.
reason.com/2025/02/12/l...
Little Rock, Arkansas, drops intrusive, ineffective ShotSpotter system
The city government of Little Rock, Arkansas, recently dumped ShotSpotter, a gunshot detection tool that's been adopted by some crime-troubled cities, but
reason.com
February 12, 2025 at 4:40 PM
"I cannot support this continuation of this contract because I do not think the technology is there"
More importantly, even if ShotSpotter "worked" it still wouldn't keep anyone safe.
reason.com/2025/02/12/l...
More importantly, even if ShotSpotter "worked" it still wouldn't keep anyone safe.
reason.com/2025/02/12/l...
Reposted by Privacy Watch STL
New from me: Pasadena approved another contract with Shotspotter. But 70% of ShotSpotter calls led to no evidence of a shooting. ShotSpotter also failed to alert police to fatal shootings and routinely misidentified fireworks and other sounds as gunfire.
lapublicpress.org/2025/02/pasa...
lapublicpress.org/2025/02/pasa...
Pasadena pays over $600K annually for ShotSpotter. Most calls lead to nothing
Few calls lead to evidence of a shooting. ShotSpotter also missed fatal shootings, and routinely misidentified fireworks, and other sounds.
lapublicpress.org
February 14, 2025 at 10:40 PM
New from me: Pasadena approved another contract with Shotspotter. But 70% of ShotSpotter calls led to no evidence of a shooting. ShotSpotter also failed to alert police to fatal shootings and routinely misidentified fireworks and other sounds as gunfire.
lapublicpress.org/2025/02/pasa...
lapublicpress.org/2025/02/pasa...