End Flock Safety surveillance at Cal Poly campus
End Flock Safety surveillance at Cal Poly campus
The Issue
"When you abandon freedom to achieve security, you lose both and deserve neither." - Thomas Jefferson.
Our administration has granted access to Flock Safety, an invasive surveillance company known for its extensive network that law enforcement agencies across the U.S. have used against protestors, activists, specific racial groups, and even women who have recently undergone abortions. Cal Poly argues that data is only shared on a "case by case" basis, and that data is never shared with ICE without a court order (because that would be illegal), but police departments across the state said the same thing and it turned out they were lying. This raises significant concerns about the overreach of surveillance and the potential targeting of marginalized communities on campus.
The implementation of Flock Safety's surveillance system on our campus represents a violation of our Fourth Amendment rights, which guarantee protection against unreasonable searches and seizures, reflected in multiple pending lawsuits against agencies and the company itself. Our campus should be a beacon of learning and expression, not a ground for unwarranted surveillance. Surveillance systems like those of Flock Safety invade our privacy and scrutinize innocent individuals, challenging the core values of freedom and privacy that are fundamental to our democracy.
Moreover, the financial burden of maintaining the system falls upon the school/taxpayers, as Flock Safety is a private company. Costing between $2,000 to $3,000 per unit annually, they are a destructive use of resources which could be better allocated to academic programs, mental health services, and student support programs that genuinely enhance campus life.
Perhaps the most alarming aspect is the vulnerability of these systems to hacking, further risking the exposure of personal information to malicious entities. Numerous researchers have exposed grave vulnerabilities in the cameras that allow almost much anyone with an android and a couple minutes on their hands to take them over. Call upon the Cal Poly administration to prioritize the safety, security, and rights of its students over the interests of an external surveillance company. Demand the removal of Flock Safety’s systems and prevent further harm.
Help us protect our privacy, our rights, and the values that make Cal Poly a diverse and inclusive institution. Please sign this petition to urge Cal Poly to reconsider its relationship with Flock Safety and uphold the freedoms that every student is entitled to.
tobiashalpern@gmail.com
4157302423
Important Links and Reading
1,390
The Issue
"When you abandon freedom to achieve security, you lose both and deserve neither." - Thomas Jefferson.
Our administration has granted access to Flock Safety, an invasive surveillance company known for its extensive network that law enforcement agencies across the U.S. have used against protestors, activists, specific racial groups, and even women who have recently undergone abortions. Cal Poly argues that data is only shared on a "case by case" basis, and that data is never shared with ICE without a court order (because that would be illegal), but police departments across the state said the same thing and it turned out they were lying. This raises significant concerns about the overreach of surveillance and the potential targeting of marginalized communities on campus.
The implementation of Flock Safety's surveillance system on our campus represents a violation of our Fourth Amendment rights, which guarantee protection against unreasonable searches and seizures, reflected in multiple pending lawsuits against agencies and the company itself. Our campus should be a beacon of learning and expression, not a ground for unwarranted surveillance. Surveillance systems like those of Flock Safety invade our privacy and scrutinize innocent individuals, challenging the core values of freedom and privacy that are fundamental to our democracy.
Moreover, the financial burden of maintaining the system falls upon the school/taxpayers, as Flock Safety is a private company. Costing between $2,000 to $3,000 per unit annually, they are a destructive use of resources which could be better allocated to academic programs, mental health services, and student support programs that genuinely enhance campus life.
Perhaps the most alarming aspect is the vulnerability of these systems to hacking, further risking the exposure of personal information to malicious entities. Numerous researchers have exposed grave vulnerabilities in the cameras that allow almost much anyone with an android and a couple minutes on their hands to take them over. Call upon the Cal Poly administration to prioritize the safety, security, and rights of its students over the interests of an external surveillance company. Demand the removal of Flock Safety’s systems and prevent further harm.
Help us protect our privacy, our rights, and the values that make Cal Poly a diverse and inclusive institution. Please sign this petition to urge Cal Poly to reconsider its relationship with Flock Safety and uphold the freedoms that every student is entitled to.
tobiashalpern@gmail.com
4157302423
Important Links and Reading
1,390
The Decision Makers
Supporter Voices
Petition created on January 17, 2026