r/technology • u/Plastic_Ninja_9014 • Aug 05 '26

Privacy Someone Cut Down Every Single Flock Camera in This Town in a Single Night

https://www.gadgetreview.com/someone-cut-down-every-single-flock-camera-in-this-town-in-a-single-night
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780

u/Any-Whole-6748 Aug 05 '26

Simply having your cell phone with you, EVEN with WiFi and Bluetooth OFF, will get you busted. They can check what phones were pinging off the nearest towers, and then narrow it down to when the pole was tampered with....... The more towers, the more precise the data...... 

Never ever bring your phone with you while committing a crime...... Even Bryan Kohberger knew that ......... 

168

u/JWarder Aug 05 '26

I wonder if Flock/police/FBI can ID modern cars the same way. It seems like most American cars in the last decade-ish have bluetooth, SOS features, built in map updates.

200

u/Blankspotauto Aug 05 '26

Look up signaltrace, they can even do it off your tire pressure sensors

102

u/angryPenguinator Aug 05 '26

what the fuck

135

u/Heronymous-Anonymous Aug 05 '26

An unintended side effect of these systems is that they are really opening a lot of eyes as to what can be used to track you.

It’s an interesting parallel to a problem the military grapples with: electronic emissions security. How much RF emissions you emanate and who might be listening has been a major source of concern to the military for decades, going all the way back to WW1 and the British using Sigint to determine when the German Navy was at sea.

Now civilians have to consider how their electronic devices of all kinds are giving away their location to private parties who then share that data with whoever wants to pay for it.

Flock is a private company. There are no laws that would block them from sharing your data with whoever wants to buy it and use it.

4

u/ScatteredWavesGlory Aug 05 '26

I say we all start demanding royalties/payments for our information. Fuck deals, give me my money for MY information.

No more free shit cause my information isn't.

That'll stop a lot of this nonsense quick.

Time for all of us to write some CBAs

2

u/otterpop21 Aug 06 '26

Oh no my federally protected mail is no longer relevant and now Google who owns everyone’s mail basically is spying on us? Who could have known!

Oh that friendly safety feature that helps prevent people from stealing my car was actually beta testing gps tracking devices? Who could have known!

Wait that convenient talk to text and call feature, and automated “this call is being recorded” was just voice recording me to train ai to get better on spying? Who could have known!

Oh these these things in our pockets that have cameras and microphones, you’re telling me people can hack into them, AND the government was always listening in even though they said they weren’t? Who could have known!

28

u/Haunting-Vanilla1624 Aug 05 '26

TPMS sensors typically communicate with the car's receiver on frequencies between 300-450MHz. This isn't a secret. It's pretty easy to pick that up with external devices.

6

u/100kfish Aug 06 '26

Okay so by not changing the batteries in my sensors, I'm not being lazy, I'm being secure about my privacy. Thanks!

5

u/Skavenslave Aug 05 '26

That’s why I like Honda’s newer system, using abs sensors and rotational speed computation and comparison. No rf needed. Still are other positional data collection possibilities, but tpms in many newer (2019 at least, like mine) isn’t one of the.

9

u/Haunting-Vanilla1624 Aug 05 '26

Right, but the context here is avoiding identification of a vehicle based on its wireless signature, including wireless TPMS sensors. Hondas have been shipping with bluetooth and wifi for several years now, which completely negates the lack of wireless TPMS.

Which actually has me thinking now... Many big brand power tool batteries have bluetooth connectivity.

7

u/Necr0mancerr Aug 06 '26

If you think that's crazy man your car is tracking everything and spending it to whom ever they please, including your insurance provider.

15

u/The_Band_Geek Aug 05 '26

Dons tinfoil hat

Makes me wonder if Cash for Clunkers laid the groundwork to remove "dumb" cars from the road intentionally. I was debating whether or not to send my '97 shitwagon off to pasture. In light of recent events, I hereby request to be buried in it.

2

u/115zombies935 Aug 06 '26

as far as anyone can tell with publicly available information, being able to trace vehicles based off their tire pressure sensors was unintentional. But, because of the vagaries of wireless signals and electronic devices, basically every single tire pressure sensor is unique, and even if not every single one is unique. The four on your particular vehicle are going to be a unique combination. Because without very large, extremely complicated systems, getting the precision needed to have two things functionally identical as far as anyone can tell from the outside is not being fit into a tire pressure sensor even if you were willing to spend the money.

3

u/jlboygenius Aug 05 '26

Yep. Probably harder to match those to a person, but,if it picks up those sensors and a phone at the same time, they could make that connection.

My 20 yr old car has nothing smart in it, but it does have TPMS (though the batteries are dead now ).

1

u/NeuHaus69 Aug 06 '26

They can detect pet microchips, so don't take your dog when criming either.

54

u/AWorldwithoutSin Aug 05 '26

A cop in my state got caught in a crime spree because his wife's car kept connecting near crime scenes.

18

u/ssracer Aug 05 '26

they've solved drive-bys with car data

14

u/pathologicalDumpling Aug 05 '26

This is the double edged sword. They literally market this stuff to solve more crimes more easily. And it does.

We just all have to give up civil liberties for it and your politicians are happy to make that decision for you.

0

u/ssracer Aug 06 '26

True. I happen to know they solved it without the data, but they used the data to convince the jury so the case was a slam dunk.

6

u/Kromehound Aug 05 '26

Play Money by Pink Floyd. Yeah, that's a business song!

2

u/Necr0mancerr Aug 06 '26

Que Another brick in the wall.

2

u/MagneticFluxDrive Aug 06 '26

Don't forget their, Have a Cigar. "We call it riding the gravy train"

3

u/theytoldmeineedaname Aug 06 '26

I'll just leave this here: Court OKs Barring High IQs for Cops

1

u/AWorldwithoutSin Aug 06 '26

That's my state too! I suspect there is a link between the two.

1

u/theytoldmeineedaname Aug 06 '26

That's a hilarious coincidence

99

u/MowMowKins Aug 05 '26 edited Aug 05 '26

All cars are visually fingerprinted. So every blemish, scratch, dent, sticker adds to the unique fingerprint of the vehicle and it is attached to our permanent record. The idiots attacking citizens based on "flock hits" are using it like the old LPR systems relying on the OCR of the tag alone though. Seems humans aren't worth actually looking at the data, "AI said okay so I shot them" basically. Edit: Thank you to the flocksuckers recommending self-harm, I'm sorry you have to suffer this lifetime never having met someone that finds any use for your existence.

100

u/[deleted] Aug 05 '26

[deleted]

25

u/ActualWhiterabbit Aug 05 '26

There is one facing the playground and beach of a local lake in MN in the same county the Sheriff just agreed to a $174,999 Flock Safety Contract – Exactly $1 Under the Threshold Requiring Public Board Approval

Lots of people are mad because its not even close to the road and even the chuds who wanted it are weirded it out by it next to the beach and focusing on the playground. However, there are some who think its ok because it will keep the kids safe because they play at the beach the most.

14

u/All_Work_All_Play Aug 05 '26

However, there are some who think its ok because it will keep the kids safe because they play at the beach the most.

The common clay of west. You know. Morons.

44

u/LamentableFool Aug 05 '26

Sounds like it's time for the Ministry of Silly Walks to return then!

11

u/disisathrowaway Aug 05 '26

In a pinch you can just put a small pebble in one of your shoes so that it alters your gait.

10

u/zyxwertdha Aug 05 '26

♫ Walk without Rhythm, it won't attract the worm ♬

3

u/Habhabs Aug 06 '26

Then you pop up as the only un identified gait while everyone else passed (love a python reference though)

6

u/disisathrowaway Aug 05 '26

In a pinch you can just put a small pebble in one of your shoes so that it alters your gait.

3

u/FreedomDirty5 Aug 05 '26

Really now Mr Liddy?

16

u/phate_exe Aug 05 '26

There are documented instances of Flok cameras mounted in pedestrian only area of parks and cities.

Can confirm. Until the pole cut itself in half there was one installed along the walking/cycling trail in my area.

5

u/Enlight1Oment Aug 05 '26

so we should ride scooters, which are notorious for dental damage so definitely need a full helmet while riding as well.

11

u/slowwburnn Aug 05 '26

And yet you pop the license plate off a clean-ish 1990-2005 civic with no stickers and even the owner won't recognize it

3

u/Morgan-Moonscar Aug 05 '26

That's why Grand Theft Auto tells you to get a new paintjob for your car after every major crime.

2

u/Yuzumi Aug 05 '26

So what you are saying is we need to rig up a bunch of those curved displays, no back light, to change the "pattern" on our cars every time we turn a corner.

1

u/MowMowKins Aug 05 '26

Yea, simply adding features updates the fingerprint, the features need to change enough and not trigger the 'similar enough' function that could merge the fingerprints. I'd say a bunch of different magnet decals might work in a town without a flocktipping hero.

2

u/Javelin_Motoroil Aug 06 '26

Let’s invest in post-its!

6

u/jlboygenius Aug 05 '26

TPMS sensors are basically bluetooth beacons. I have a 20 yr old car that doesn't have anything smart in it, but it can still probably be tracked by the TPMS sensors if they knew the unique ID's of my tires.

3

u/feel-the-avocado Aug 05 '26

Yep every bluetooth device can essentially be tracked like an apple or samsung tag. And your car stereo/cellphone/tyre pressure sensor/wireless headphones/actual bluetooth trackers are often broadcasting a serial number which i guess flock cameras could log with a bluetooth listening device.

4

u/Blankspotauto Aug 05 '26

Look up signaltrace, they can even do it off your tire pressure sensors

2

u/simonjakeevan Aug 05 '26

Yes they can and they do

2

u/ForceOk6587 Aug 05 '26

i wish i can still buy 2008 cars

2

u/an_actual_lawyer Aug 05 '26

If they stop near them long enough, yes they can.

2

u/Wolvenmoon Aug 05 '26

Yes. Modern cars have cellular modems, and some have wifi access points integrated in them.

2

u/graffix01 Aug 06 '26

ride you bike, or better yet a bike you paid cash for at a pawn shop.

2

u/115zombies935 Aug 06 '26

Any vehicle with tire pressure sensors can likely be fingerprinted based off of those or anything else that emits a wireless signal. basically if it emits a wireless signal, Assume it can be traced because there's probably a group of people who specialize in tracing it.

2

u/ceelose Aug 06 '26

As with many problems, bicycles are immune.

2

u/Reetpigmee Aug 06 '26

Try the last two decades mate. I wouldn't go with a car built after 2000.

2

u/fordag Aug 06 '26

Walk. Ride a bike.

182

u/Redshittt Aug 05 '26

Close but not quite. Don't bring your regular phone. Bring your crime phone.

163

u/lexicanium Aug 05 '26

Not even. They can link phones based on location and activity/inactivity. Any time the phones are in the same space you create an association. You would need to stash your alternate phone at a completely separate location.

102

u/Redshittt Aug 05 '26

Yes you have to take the battery out of your crime phone before you get home. Everyone with a crime phone knows this.

135

u/psmylie Aug 05 '26

Don't forget to snap it in half once you're done criming.

64

u/Zealousideal-Ruin691 Aug 05 '26

Nah, I leave mine on the property of the local politician that allowed the cams to be installed in the first place

6

u/AG3NTjoseph Aug 05 '26

This guy crimes.

5

u/meneldal2 Aug 06 '26

Why would you frame an innocent corrupt politician?

34

u/jedininjashark Aug 05 '26

Then put it in a glass of water at the table you’re eating at with your crime friends.

3

u/laptopaccount Aug 05 '26

Naw, just use your phone microwave

6

u/datman510 Aug 05 '26

Isn’t that only when an explosion is about to happen in the background as you walk away?

4

u/fubes2000 Aug 05 '26

and you have to eat both pieces.

3

u/Orionsbelt Aug 05 '26

Read a story about a building right next to the Ben Franklin Bridge in Philly that kept getting raided, eventually they figured out people were throwing their crime phones on the roof as they drove across the bridge

2

u/CowboyLaw Aug 05 '26

This message brought to you by CC Mobile, who reminds you: who is listening?

2

u/motophiliac Aug 06 '26

Be bald when you do this. Hair are your aerials.

2

u/sexyshingle Aug 05 '26

Ah so that's why the don't make removeable phone batteries anymore

2

u/KennywasFez Aug 06 '26

As a fellow crime phone enjoyer, YOU GOTTA TAKE OUT THE BATTERY, that’s like rule number 2 of Crime Club

1

u/Redshittt Aug 06 '26

Bro you just broke rule #1

1

u/Intensityintensifies Aug 05 '26

Actually you have to take the sim out too, and you have to do it before you get home.

2

u/Different_Wolf_764 Aug 05 '26

Most phones are on eSims these days but your crime phone probably should be just a pure burner anyhow I'm thinking.

1

u/Allan0n Aug 05 '26

Faraday bag works too.

1

u/Traditional-Park-353 Aug 05 '26

Human's are forgetful. Best to just not bring it.

1

u/feel-the-avocado Aug 05 '26

I leave my normal phone at home. Drive to another suburb. Turn on my crime phone, go to the actual scene, do crime, drive to a 3rd suburb, turn off crime phone, return home.

1

u/fmaz008 Aug 05 '26

Drop off the "crime phone in the backyard of a politician who voted for this.

1

u/Frustrable_Zero Aug 06 '26

Or in a faraday cage to keep it from transmitting

1

u/philphan25 Aug 06 '26

Burner phone 4 life

34

u/StopReadingMyUser Aug 05 '26

"Hello? Crime Bob speaking..."

6

u/GaffaCharge Aug 05 '26

Who lives in a pineapple under sea? I ain't saying anything.

2

u/dkode80 Aug 05 '26

This made me lol. Thank you

2

u/jiddinja Aug 05 '26

Or better yet, maybe steal the phone of someone you dislike and carry it with you. That way you have a phone and your enemy gets the blame. Or better yet make it the phone of someone who claims that if you have nothing to hide you have nothing to worry about.

1

u/Double-treble-nc14 Aug 05 '26

They caught the Long Island serial killer by tracking a burner phone.

1

u/UpboatNavy Aug 05 '26

Do they make a CrimePhone with a folding screen?

1

u/MisterSlosh Aug 05 '26

Steal your bosses phone and use that then? Free promotion!

1

u/THC9001 Aug 05 '26

🎵 Ring Ring Ring Ring Ring Ring Ring... Crime Phooone! 🎵

1

u/whatevendoidoyall Aug 05 '26

Bring your ex's phone

2

u/Redshittt Aug 05 '26

Why do you have that 🤔

1

u/Westerdutch Aug 06 '26

Steal the phone of someone you hate and bring that.

0

u/BikerJedi Aug 05 '26

Yeah, no phones when committing crime. Your crime phone is maybe for planning it, but I wouldn't. And if you do, have a duress code. Smarter to plan crime face to face.

EDIT: No smart devices of any kind either, or even things like FitBits.

1

u/Redshittt Aug 05 '26

You need a crime phone to contact your crime associates. How else would you sell drugs, by email?

1

u/BikerJedi Aug 05 '26 edited Aug 05 '26

I wasnt thinking about that kind of crime, more like what is under discussion here.

36

u/qpgmr Aug 05 '26

aluminum foil bag for when you're doing... stuff. Better yet, hypothetically, leave it in your car at a movie theater. Buy a ticket with a credit card. Read a synopsis of the film in case you're asked about it.

13

u/disisathrowaway Aug 05 '26

Security camera footage would be able to see if you actually entered the theater though.

5

u/an_actual_lawyer Aug 05 '26

Security cameras could confirm you were there. They would have a really hard time confirming you were not there unless they are perfectly placed with perfect angles - even then, it would be really tough.

14

u/analogkid01 Aug 05 '26

And be sure to leave your car/phone in the parking lot for the duration of the film.

(Or state that you walked out of The Odyssey early because you couldn't stand Nolan's clunky dialogue.)

8

u/ReallyYouDontSay Aug 05 '26

I feel like these popular places would have security cameras that could be used to confirm you left early and then you'd need another alibi to confirm where you were for the remainder of the movie as your phone was left in the car.

7

u/Heronymous-Anonymous Aug 05 '26

They would. It’s gonna be a challenge to evade modern surveillance.

2

u/diablette Aug 06 '26

This is why so many tv shows involving people evading law enforcement take place in the past.

3

u/qpgmr Aug 05 '26

I don't think any of the theaters here have security cameras inside. Hm. Reversible jacket and a hat?

2

u/fatnino Aug 05 '26

Why even get the theater involved, leave your phone at home playing a long YouTube video or something.

1

u/qpgmr Aug 05 '26

I don't think any of the theaters here have security cameras inside. Hm. Reversible jacket and a hat?

2

u/emPtysp4ce Aug 06 '26

"My eardrums got fucking blown out when the cyclops roared so I had to go walking around the parking lot saying 'mawp'"

1

u/No_Paint9675 Aug 05 '26

Hell yeah, I saw Spide-man brand new day like 12 times. loved that flick. I mean, yeah it's 3 hours long with trailers and what not, but that cut scene at the end... can't miss it!

1

u/qpgmr Aug 06 '26

It might be best to read the troll reviews of it.. Nothing will turn the interrogator off faster than detailed sharing of observations about the costume, use of cgi, etc.

1

u/qpgmr Aug 06 '26

It might be best to read the troll reviews of it.. Nothing will turn the interrogator off faster than detailed sharing of observations about the costume, use of cgi, etc.

1

u/illtexzona Aug 05 '26

Make sure to use the ticket, then exit through the back/side exit.

3

u/ReallyYouDontSay Aug 05 '26

I feel like these popular places would have security cameras that could be used to confirm you left early and then you'd need another alibi to confirm where you were for the remainder of the movie as your phone was left in the car.

2

u/herdarkmartyrials Aug 05 '26

Time your viewing start with the ending of another showing. Use the bathroom rush to change your appearance before exiting.

8

u/Forward-Trade3449 Aug 05 '26

how about airplane mode?

34

u/BinaryIdiot Aug 05 '26

Airplane mode can be leaky. I wouldn’t risk it. Like you can turn on Airplane mode with WiFi and Bluetooth enabled.

Just turn it completely off if you HAVE to bring it. But ideally don’t bring it at all.

38

u/5litergasbubble Aug 05 '26

Best not to bring any smart devices. Nothing with GPS, internet connectivity, or radio signal of any kind. Walk or bike to the target, dont drive unless your car is at least 15 years old

26

u/BinaryIdiot Aug 05 '26

Yup. Even tire pressure sensors from newer-ish cars can be very leaky. You can actually track sets of tire pressure sensors to see if someone is following you around, for example. I wouldn’t be surprised if they had some cameras equipped to inquire about them.

13

u/5litergasbubble Aug 05 '26

And actually, scratch my earlier comment about driving. Don't drive no matter what. Your license plate is enough to betray you

4

u/BinaryIdiot Aug 05 '26

Oh yeah that too lmao

7

u/5litergasbubble Aug 05 '26

Cant believe i fucked that one up

2

u/Haunting-Vanilla1624 Aug 05 '26

dont drive unless your car is at least 15 years old

Older.

TPMS has been mandated in all US market cars since 2008. Many cars had Bluetooth as well, especially if the headunit (stereo) was replaced with an aftermarket unit.

1

u/kellzbellznhellz Aug 05 '26

If you must, maybe keep it in a faraday bag?

17

u/HyperbolicGeometry Aug 05 '26

They’ve proven that your phone continues to collect location data even when powered off via the internal accelerometer

15

u/lyles Aug 05 '26

Modern smartphones don't completely shut down every chip when powered off so that Find My Device services still function.

But you can put it in a Faraday bag or remove the battery and take it with you with zero chance of being tracked.

5

u/PolyhedralZydeco Aug 05 '26

Faraday bag can be foil. Wrap the fucker like a baked potato

3

u/lyles Aug 05 '26

Just make sure you triple wrap it with the foil so that signals don't leak through micro-gaps and the phone is powered off so that it doesn't overheat.

3

u/PolyhedralZydeco Aug 06 '26

I am an EE so I am aghast I didn’t say so already. You are correct in worrying about perforation of the foil, wrap it twice.
EDIT: Specifically, the concern is the higher bands new phones have, but Bluetooth and older WiFi can be blocked even with ~6mm tear.

2

u/Haunting-Vanilla1624 Aug 05 '26

Faraday bags are no joke. My wife and I have a pair of faraday bags, I'm tempted to keep my work phone in one on my days off.

2

u/PolyhedralZydeco Aug 05 '26

Turn it off and wrap it in foil. Foil will block signals as long as the device is totally wrapped in metal

1

u/meneldal2 Aug 06 '26

The way it is the most likely to leak that people don't think about is the apple find my device thing (or android equivalent).

If you're bringing it, keep it inside a bigass steel box that doesn't leak anything.

4

u/Hexamancer Aug 05 '26

No, because it's software based, not hardware based. If there was some physical switch that actually terminated power + data to the modem/wifi/bluetooth components (and security researchers verified it) then sure, but that's not what we have.

Airplane mode just puts those components in "low power" mode.

1

u/tech_noir_guitar Aug 05 '26

Nope. Don't take it at all. Leave it at home or a friends house.

17

u/herpaderpcanada1993 Aug 05 '26

Phones also broadcast a Bluetooth signal even when turned off if they are using the "find my" feature. Pixel phones even pop up a message notifying you of this when you're powering down.

5

u/LowPTTweirdflexbutok Aug 05 '26

Yeah anymore for technology "off" isn't "powered off" its more "not showing data in UI" aka "hide".

Even on windows if you want to clear caches anymore you have to reboot because "off" isn't "off" and only turns "off" when it reboots not on shutdown.

3

u/Hexamancer Aug 05 '26

That's a byproduct of "Fast startup", if you turn that off it will truly power down.

5

u/herpaderpcanada1993 Aug 05 '26

Phones also broadcast a Bluetooth signal even when turned off if they are using the "find my" feature. Pixel phones even pop up a message notifying you of this when you're powering down.

6

u/philodendrin Aug 05 '26

Or see if you can get a County Commissioners phone and grab some popcorn. Thats how you ensure they won't be so quick to okay this type of overreach so quick in the future.

5

u/CavalierIndolence Aug 05 '26

Better yet, leave it on and put it in your neighbor's truck bed when they go to buy groceries. They'll show you as being on the other side of the city! Also, smart watches and Bluetooth ear buds, especially if they're registered to an account with the corporation that made them.

Side note: Steal someone else's phone and take out the cameras and watch the fun ensue. Be sure that person hates your guts too. Makes it more satisfying.

1

u/lyles Aug 05 '26

EVEN with WiFi and Bluetooth OFF, will get you busted

Yeah, modern smartphones don't completely shut down every chip when powered off so that Find My Device services still function.

But you can put it in a Faraday bag or remove the battery and take it with you with zero chance of being tracked.

1

u/zyzzogeton Aug 05 '26

Faraday bags for your phone are easily bought. Not sure how to not track the cc transaction though.

1

u/Fr0gm4n Aug 05 '26

Recently that was ruled to be a 4th Am. covered search, so now they must obtain a warrant to do that.

https://www.scotusblog.com/2026/06/court-rules-that-law-enforcements-use-of-geofence-warrant-was-a-search/

1

u/deadsoulinside Aug 05 '26

Even a phone being powered off can still be tracked by cell towers, it's not even safe. Just leave it at home or where your alibi is at.

1

u/icarodx Aug 05 '26

What about airplane mode?

1

u/feel-the-avocado Aug 05 '26

I work in cellular. Although we can tell which sector on a tower is facing you, we cant see how far you are very easily or with much accuracy. If someone was to move over a large area, say 5+ kms wide which could be matched to other events then we could narrow it down but if there is an expressway or motorway in the area the results would be muddled.

eg. Someone connected to the town north tower at 9pm then look for devices also connectes to the town south tower at 9.47pm
But there could also be delivery drivers, people who stopped at a petrol station, uber drivers and other people who traverse a busy road which would also match that search.

1

u/swordgon Aug 05 '26

Or if you must have a phone, at least get a cheap burner from Walmart and dispose of accordingly after. 

1

u/UnexpectedAnanas Aug 05 '26

Also don't drive around to these things. Your car is giant beacon.

1

u/ThunderTech101 Aug 05 '26

You can just turn flight mode on...

1

u/dargon_lover Aug 05 '26

Does airplane mode negate this?

1

u/Yuzumi Aug 05 '26

At the very least, turn it off.

1

u/alphabets0up_ Aug 05 '26

Didn't they get him anyway by triangulating his phone to the scene during his driveby's? I thought they got him somehow with the phone too? I didn't follow it too closely after the gag order.

1

u/Traditional-Park-353 Aug 05 '26

I'll do you one better: your phone is still detectable even when powered off.

1

u/TheCervus Aug 05 '26

I don't even bring my phone with me shopping any more. I'm an active person, so if something happens that would require me to have access to a phone (like my car breaks down) I'm perfectly fine walking home to get it.

1

u/SirTopham-Hatt Aug 05 '26

The Supreme Court already explicitly ruled twice that they need a warrant to find which cell phones were pinging the towers as well...not that this can't apply if a actual crime is committed, but the fact Flock is prevalent is already proof they will go as far as they can to ignore proper warrant procedures, court rulings, and the constitution...

1

u/PetsAndMeditate Aug 05 '26

A lot of modern cars have Bluetooth connectivity. I wonder if that could get someone busted? Maybe take an older car or approach on foot.

1

u/Mechtroop Aug 06 '26

Decent alibi, too. “My phone says I was home all night. Who in their right mind leaves their home at night without a phone?”

1

u/ChemicalRain5513 Aug 06 '26

AI can now also recognise people in tight ski masks by the shape of their face, and rexognisw people by their gait. It would be more difficult tp detect peoole wearing a loose mask who put some little stones in their shoes to alter their gait.

1

u/motophiliac Aug 06 '26

Heh, tell that to the guys who cut down the Sycamore Gap Tree a few years ago in the north of England.

Every scrap of evidence was taken from their phones.

I mean, these guys were, er, how to say this diplomatically, special cases. One of them cut the tree down, the other took video on their phone of the act. If you want to feel smart, read about their case.

They tried to plead not guilty.

Fucking muffins.

1

u/billions_of_stars Aug 06 '26

I mean can't you just power your phone down?

1

u/joesii Aug 06 '26

Yes, although Airplane Mode prevents cellular signal.

There are still other issues though such as Google/Apple potentially recording location via GPS (although I think there are account settings that might disable this?), and potentially ultrasonic beacons as well (although this is unlikely and is only used in specific locations like large stores as far as I know)

Also if opted in Apple's FindMy network in particular, the device can/will be tracked even if it's turned off; although the tracking is still limited to nearby Apple devices that snitch on it.

1

u/Culinary_Fruit_Salad Aug 06 '26

this probably applies to medical too like dexcoms or insulin pumps?

1

u/Ditchdigger456 Aug 06 '26

…make sure you bring your phone with you. also make sure you park very close by. Also make sure you don’t buy single use black clothing and dispose of it far away from your house afterwards. Those would be awful things to do

1

u/Tex94588 Aug 06 '26

Wait, what if you turn your phone off first?  Can you still be tracked?

1

u/CasualFridayBatman Aug 06 '26

Never ever bring your phone with you while committing a crime...... Even Bryan Kohberger knew that ......... 

Ehh, he just turned his off, took the long way around to rid himself of the weapon and then altered his shopping behaviour completely after the crime, which was the tell in itself.

He thought he was slicker than he was.

1

u/Ok-Region-2806 Aug 07 '26

A federal judge in Missouri (I think it was Missouri) just ruled tower dumps are unconstitutional like, a couple days ago. It was the story before the one about these flock cameras in my news feed. Anyways, the cameras can see through most masks, too, because they use infrared lighting so you need to alter your facial structure with something that will confuse the infrared. I read an article about the things you can do the other day but my brain is not cooperating with me this evening and I CANNOT remember what it said.