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Advice needed: my workplace has put Flock cameras at all entrances (lemmy.dbzer0.com)
submitted 6 months ago by to c/privacy@lemmy.world
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Hello, the title sums it up pretty much but here's some details. I live in the US and I have been working for a pretty big company for a few years. I noticed recently that they have put up Flock cameras at all entrances and I really object to it. I would consider a new job but three main factors are really preventing me from doing that. First, I like many of my coworkers and it makes my day easier. Second, I get paid well enough. Third, the job is nearby and its an easy commute. Essentially all the things I want in a job.

What I have done so far: I have contacted my union rep. The response from the union was essentially indifference to the idea. They claim Flock simply sends the data to our normal security team. They did mention that it was discussed recently otherwise. Last note, I work for a place where vandalism would not be possible due to the nature of the facility.

I'm not really sure what else to do but I didn't want to do nothing. What would you do?

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[–] 21 points 6 months ago (3 children)

I'd suggest something involving lasers except you said no vandalism so that's out. I don't think the EFF would be able to help directly but you could reach out to info@eff.org and see if they can put you in touch with an attorney who might be able to do more. A search for "[your location] bar association" is another possibility. Most places I've been will have somebody willing to talk for free (at least briefly) in order to see if there's a case worth pursuing. If there is a case, don't count on them taking it pro bono. Never know unless you ask though.

My best guess is that there's nothing to be done about it except the rejected options of vandalism or quitting. There's a slim (as in "invisible when turned sideways") chance that some local law might give you more to work with but that's for other nerds to figure out.

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  • [–] 3 points 6 months ago (1 child)

    Do tell about the lasers....

    I'm imagining IR would be best, 20 to 40 watts focused. You'll still stand out to any CCTV nearby but that camera will have a wicked blind spot.

    For most solid state diodes I think they max out at ~3 to 5 watts, still enough to damage with a good focus from 10 meters or so but they're visible and you look like someone who forgot to put a regulator on their lightsaber...

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  • [–] 4 points 6 months ago

    If I were going to do it (and I'm not, feds!), I'd buy a few of the cameras they use and see how far away I can be while still reliably destroying the device. Might mean going to some twitchy guy in a tent but ripping one open could give me a part number to find additional test hardware.

    The rest would be determined by the terrain around the target cameras and what's beyond them. Wouldn't want to miss the camera and blind a pilot or somebody in an upper-floor apartment. Tripod for stability, binoculars to see if the dot is where I want it to be. More distance might just mean more time to cause enough damage but I also wouldn't want to sit very long with an "I'm right here" line for everyone to follow. High-vis vest and hardhat will only hide you for so long.

    IR should reduce the risk of being seen but then it's harder to check and adjust the aim point. Could use a less powerful visible pointer fixed in position so it's parallel to the IR beam and only use visible while adjusting aim (placing the visible dot next to the intended target point). Converging at a known distance is also possible but may be tricky.

    Fun to think about, at least.

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