Hackers rip down Flock camera, steal its data, share findings with media
Recovered software shows the cameras detect people and bicycles, while one device generated 1.6 million images from about 50,200 vehicles, analysts said.
- On Wednesday, hacker collective stegan0gram removed a Flock Safety license-plate reader, copied its internal storage, and shared files with 404 Media and WIRED, revealing the device captured 1.6 million images of 50,200 vehicles over 21 days while explicitly detecting people.
- Analysts discovered unencrypted partitions on the camera's internal storage, including one labeled 'media' containing an encryption key that unlocked recorded videos and images, undermining Flock's claims about on-device encryption protection.
- The camera's software tracks pedestrians and bicycles alongside vehicles, isolating specific details like bumper stickers and an American-flag patch on a motorcyclist's bag, demonstrating capabilities far beyond standard license-plate reading.
- Flock stated "the unauthorized removal and tampering of a Flock camera is illegal," noting the company received no vulnerability report through official channels; Boston officials announced the city will no longer use the surveillance system.
- Local surveillance data feeds into an interconnected national network accessible to more than 2,000 agencies, including police departments, colleges, and the federal General Services Administration, fueling ongoing privacy concerns.
19 Articles
19 Articles
Hackers who removed a camera from a US company, Flock Safety, from a road have managed to extract a large part of the software and data stored on the device, revealing more details about how the system tracks vehicles and detects people. The group, known as “stegan0gram”, recovered an encryption key stored on the camera and used it to unlock videos and images containing data on thousands of vehicles. The materials were provided to 404 Media and …
Hackers found Flock cameras can track more than just cars — and Boston officials found camera data was shared despite being told it wouldn’t be
Hackers just extracted a scary amount of data from a downed flock camera, as Boston reveals it won’t use Flock anymore.
Hackers Rip Down Flock Camera and Expose Its Surveillance Reach
Hackers didn’t just yank a Flock Safety camera off a pole. They copied its storage, cracked its encryption, and handed the contents to journalists. The resulting analysis lays bare how these devices operate in the field. And what they capture goes far beyond license plates. A collective called stegan0gram removed the camera from above a roadway. They shared nearly complete copies of its data with WIRED and Mashable, as well as the transparency g…
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