US university students push back against campus surveillance cameras

Students and faculty members at universities across the United States have organized petitions, protests, and campaigns to demand that their institutions stop using automated license plate readers made by companies like Flock Safety. Critics argue that tracking vehicle locations creates mass surveillance that can be exploited to target vulnerable people. As a result of these privacy concerns and student activism, at least ten university campuses have scrapped their contracts with the camera provider, while other schools have restricted access to the data or paused planned pilot programs. While student groups and privacy advocates celebrate the removal of the surveillance technology, the company defends its devices by stating they help campus police solve crimes and increase public safety. Representatives for the manufacturer highlighted instances where the camera network aided law enforcement in tracking down suspects in violent crimes and thefts. Despite these arguments, the pushback on campuses mirrors a broader wave of resistance, with numerous cities also deactivating or rejecting license plate reader contracts amid growing concerns over data privacy and mass surveillance.