A Darth Vader costume, a poem, and droning noise: Americans get creative to protest Flock cameras and data centers

In recent months, Americans have taken unconventional methods to protest against data centers and license-plate reader cameras. One individual disrupted a Kentucky public meeting by wearing a Darth Vader costume and playing a noise they likened to a data center. Meanwhile, a San Diego resident dressed as Star Wars villain Darth Vader applauded the city's decision to allow Flock cameras, jokingly suggesting they help track "rebel scum."

Another man in Seattle attended a city council meeting dressed as Marvel's Dr. Doom and applauded officials for using the technology, claiming it would give him control over the city. Against the backdrop of concerns over privacy, misuse, and data sharing, a growing number of communities have canceled, paused, or suspended contracts with Flock Safety, a company that has deployed around 120,000 license plate reader cameras across the US.