Hackers rip down Flock camera, steal its data, share findings with media

A group of hackers ripped down a Flock camera and stole its data, finding that the cameras’ software can generate dozens of images from a single passing vehicle to develop its signature.

The group, called stegan0gram, shared findings with Wired and 404 Media , who ran a joint investigation. The outlets found that in a 21-day period the camera photographed roughly 50,200 vehicles and generated about 1.6 million images.

Flock has a system of license plate readers, video cameras and audio detection devices incorporated into its AI database. That database logs license plate numbers, as well as car features like make, model, color and bumper stickers. Local jurisdictions can share data with other law enforcement agencies, creating a major network that law enforcement can use in crime solving.

The outlets stated that the camera generally captures around 28 images from a single encounter with a vehicle, though some can produce more than 100, and sends photos and other data to Flock through a cellular network. They noted that the camera does not identify vehicles or read plates, stating that this analysis appears to happen on Flock’s servers.

In one instance, the camera — which runs about 20 Flock-built apps including apps that detect motion and upload data — was able to detect an American flag patch located on a motorcyclist’s saddle bag, per 404 Media and Wired.

One hacker affiliated with stegan0gram told the outlets, “We liberated hardware in the field, disarmed them, and proceeded with reverse engineering of the cameras and associated solar equipment.”

“Why just destroy them when we can reverse engineer them and find the secrets of those spying on us?” they added.

When asked about the investigation, a spokesperson from Flock told The Hill, “The unauthorized removal and tampering of a Flock camera is illegal.”

“Flock takes security seriously and maintains a public Vulnerability Disclosure Policy for security researchers to report potential vulnerabilities directly to us,” the spokesperson said. “We received no report through that process, and based on the limited information provided, we do not have enough detail to assess the claims being made.”

The surveillance technology has become controversial among lawmakers, with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) saying earlier this month that he worried the Sunshine State would become a “digital AI surveillance state where everything we’re doing is being tracked at all times.”

Rep Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) also unveiled a bill this month that aims at restricting the use of federal funds for automated license plate reader cameras and biometric surveillance cameras. It is called the Flock-Off Act.

President Trump stated his support for the technology Sunday.

“No, I sort of like them [Flock cameras] because of that, because of law enforcement. But some people don’t. They think it’s an infringement,” the president said, adding later, “I like them.”