{
  "id": 8171680,
  "title": "Hackers reveal how Flock cameras really track cars and people",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/hackers-reveal-how-flock-cameras-really-track-cars-and-people",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-09-17T09:43:46.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Ars Technica",
    "slug": "ars-technica",
    "url": "https://arstechnica.com/security/2026/09/hackers-reveal-how-flock-cameras-really-track-cars-and-people/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Hackers have exposed the inner workings of Flock Safety's cameras, which are used to track vehicles and people. The hackers obtained a nearly complete copy of the data stored in a Flock camera by removing it from a roadway. They shared the files with 404 Media and WIRED, providing an unprecedented look at how the camera operates. The hackers also revealed how they gained access to the camera's software, hoping to inspire others to replicate their success. Despite Flock's claims of on-device encryption, the hackers were able to recover an encryption key and access the camera's storage. The analysis of the recovered data shows that the camera not only detects vehicles but also people, license plates, and bicycles. The camera is capable of capturing numerous images of a single vehicle, and its computer-vision software can even identify specific details such as bumper stickers and American flag patches. The hackers' actions aim to shed light on the vulnerabilities of Flock's security measures.",
  "summary": "One hacked camera captured 1.6 million images and could detect people as well as cars.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 6,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Techmeme",
        "title": "Hacker collective stegan0gram dismantles a Flock camera, recovering an encryption key and showing it runs ~20 apps on a midrange smartphone-grade processor (404 Media)",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/hacker-collective-stegan0gram-dismantles-a-flock-camera-recovering-an",
        "published": "2026-09-16T12:20:01.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "TechSpot",
        "title": "Man who faced three felonies for destroying a fake Flock camera has charges reduced to misdemeanors",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/man-who-faced-three-felonies-for-destroying-a-fake-flock-camera-has",
        "published": "2026-09-16T13:08:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Mashable",
        "title": "Hackers dismantle Flock camera to see what makes it tick",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/hackers-dismantle-flock-camera-to-see-what-makes-it-tick",
        "published": "2026-09-16T17:04:16.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Hill",
        "title": "Hackers rip down Flock camera, steal its data, share findings with media",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/hackers-rip-down-flock-camera-steal-its-data-share-findings-with-media",
        "published": "2026-09-16T17:55:57.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Tom's Hardware",
        "title": "Hackers find encryption keys stored on stolen Flock camera despite company's denials — group extracts more than 27,000 clips, 1.6 million images captured in a span of 21 days from the device",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/hackers-find-encryption-keys-stored-on-stolen-flock-camera-despite",
        "published": "2026-09-17T11:30:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}