40,000 Flock cameras tied to Palantir went up in the US in 3 months, some near playgrounds and pools

The spread of street-side surveillance technology is striking a nerve across the U.S., especially when cameras show up near places where families expect to feel safe and relaxed, such as playgrounds and public pools.

A Reddit discussion brought that frustration into focus, centered on claims that tens of thousands of Flock cameras were added over a three-month period and tied to Palantir data centers.

Here's what to know

In a widely shared Reddit thread, the original poster wrote, "40k/131k new Flock cameras in 3 months, they connect to Palantir data centers some are pointed at playgrounds or public pools they advise police on how to react to flagged incidents & log every person ever recorded into a facial recognition database with files of who was ever detected anytime."

One commenter wrote, "It's actually impressive, in a disgusting sort of way, that Flock et al managed to get so many government contracts for surveillance cameras with so few actual votes."

A recurring theme in the responses was not just the hardware itself, but the way surveillance systems can slip into ordinary surroundings with little notice.

When devices are placed near parks, pools, and neighborhood streets, the feeling of being watched can follow people through even the most ordinary routines.

More background

Flock Safety is best known for automated license plate reader cameras used by law enforcement and local governments.

In the thread, much of the unease centered on plate-reader technology being installed in shared community areas without residents feeling meaningfully consulted.

Another major worry involved what happens once information is collected. Because the original post alleged links to Palantir data centers and broader tracking systems, commenters feared that routine movements — a trip to the store, a stop near a school, or a visit to a public gathering place — could become part of a lasting record.

Some commenters pointed to the possible real-world consequences of mistakes.

To show how errors can play out in real life, one commenter cited a MotorBiscuit report about an innocent family being held at gunpoint after a Flock camera allegedly misread a plate, while another said the alert concerned a stolen motorcycle rather than the family's vehicle.

What can be done?

Local oversight may be the most realistic first step.

Surveillance programs are often approved by city councils, police budgets, neighborhood partnerships, or pilot programs, which can be easy to miss unless people are actively tracking them.

Public records requests and attending city meetings can help turn vague unease into concrete accountability.

One commenter offered a blunt version of that advice: "I didn't vote to have these creep cams all over my city. And they didn't give us the option because that sh** wouldn't pass. I urge you all to go to city meeting and ask your reps if they took money and signed NDA's with Flock and data centers."

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