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Why everyone seems to hate Flock cameras episode artwork

Sep 18, 2026 45 min

Why everyone seems to hate Flock cameras

from Reasonably Optimistic Hosted by The Washington Post

No one likes the idea of being surveilled. That concern is fueling a nationwide backlash against Flock cameras, the automated license plate readers police use to find stolen vehicles, track suspects and locate missing people. Critics see their rapid spread as the beginnings of a mass surveillance network. Supporters say they reduce crime and save lives. So can communities keep the benefits without sacrificing privacy? Host Megan McArdle is joined by Charles Fain Lehman, a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute and senior editor at City Journal. They examine what Flock cameras actually see, the data behind the headlines and whether safeguards can prevent a useful tool from becoming a threat to civil liberties. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

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Why everyone seems to hate Flock cameras

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This episode was published on September 18, 2026.

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