TECH08/29/26

Flock Camera Surveillance Backlash

Flock Safety's AI license plate readers face scrutiny over funding sources and civil liberties concerns.

Photo: Washington Examiner Tech

DIFFERENT FOCUS

Mother Jones emphasized Misuse of Public Health Funds; Washington Examiner Tech emphasized Civil Liberties & Political Resistance.

LEFT FOCUS

▸More than a dozen law enforcement agencies used opioid settlement funds to purchase Flock cameras. — Mother Jones

RIGHT FOCUS

▸Sen. Josh Hawley opened a Senate investigation into Flock Safety's data collection, retention, and dissemination practices. — Washington Examiner Tech
▸Hawley argued the vast majority of Americans captured in Flock's records committed no wrongdoing. — Washington Examiner Tech

Ukraine Starlink Throttling Dispute

Ukraine's military Starlink access was throttled, sparking a dispute over who ordered it.

DEVELOPING TIMELINE

First Report Thursday: Ukraine said SpaceX throttled military Starlink terminals, disrupting drone ops; Musk blamed the US government.

Saturday: Reports conflict on who ordered Starlink throttling

Left: White House order crippled Ukraine's drone defenses.

Right: Russia strikes as ceasefire collapses amid Starlink row.

The FBI arrested Saudi OpenAI engineer Abdulrahman Alfozan for allegedly planting a recording device in a company conference room.

DEVELOPING TIMELINE

First Report Oct 14: The FBI arrested Saudi OpenAI employee Abdulrahman Alfozan for allegedly planting a recording device in a conference room.

Sunday: Court documents detail AI surveillance tools used

Left: AI was used to expose the alleged bug.

Right: Saudi rivalry in the AI race flagged.

Anthropic committed 5% of its shares to a new public benefit fund.

Left: sees a tool to fight AI job disruption.

Right: calls it a small, symbolic stock pledge.

Trump signed an executive order creating a Women's Health Division at the NIH alongside Melania.

Left: focuses on cringe ceremony moment.

Right: touts it as a women's health win.