In a recent episode of his YouTube show Lehto’s Law, attorney Steve Lehto delves into a concerning development: FedEx trucks are now equipped with AI-powered cameras that aid police surveillance. This move, widely reported by sources including The Daily Mail and Forbes, has sparked significant debate about privacy and civil liberties in the United States.
Surveillance Society
Lehto begins by acknowledging the pervasive nature of surveillance in modern society. “We are living in a surveilled society. We are under surveillance all the time, and it ain’t getting better; it’s getting worse,” he states. This introduction sets the stage for a discussion on how private companies like FedEx are contributing to this growing issue.
FedEx and Flock Safety Partnership
FedEx has partnered with Flock Safety, a surveillance startup specializing in automated license plate recognition and video surveillance. Flock Safety already operates around 40,000 cameras across 4,000 cities in the United States. Lehto explains, “FedEx is using AI-powered cameras installed on its trucks to help aid police investigations,” highlighting the extent of this surveillance network.
The Extent of Surveillance
According to Lehto, the partnership between FedEx and Flock Safety allows for extensive data sharing with law enforcement. This includes tracking vehicles by their license plates, make, model, color, and other identifying characteristics. The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office in Tennessee confirmed its collaboration with Flock Safety and FedEx, sharing data in the same manner they do with other law enforcement agencies.
Legal and Ethical Concerns
Lehto raises critical questions about the legality and ethics of this surveillance. A policy analyst with the ACLU expressed concerns, stating, “There’s a simple principle we’ve always had in this country, which is that the government doesn’t get to watch everybody all the time just in case somebody commits a crime.” This principle is being challenged by the current surveillance practices.
Lack of Transparency
One of the significant issues with this partnership is the lack of transparency. Private firms like FedEx are not subject to the same transparency laws as government agencies, which could leave the public unaware of the extent and use of surveillance data. Lehto emphasizes, “Private companies acting like governmental agencies when it comes to our privacy and freedoms is a profoundly disconcerting concept.”
Potential for Abuse
The potential for abuse of this surveillance system is high. Lehto cites examples of police officers misusing their access to license plate data for personal reasons, which raises alarms about similar misuse of the data collected by FedEx’s cameras. “Do you want to live in a 100% surveillance state where everywhere you go, you’re being filmed and recorded?” he asks, urging viewers to consider the implications.
The Bigger Picture
Lehto places this development within the broader context of increasing public surveillance. He notes that other companies, such as Kaiser Permanente, also use Flock Safety’s technology to share data with law enforcement. This trend points to a future where continuous monitoring becomes the norm, raising significant civil liberties concerns.
Public Reaction and Future Implications
The public’s reaction to this news has been mixed, with many expressing discomfort and concern. Lehto underscores the need for a balance between security and privacy, advocating for greater oversight and transparency in the use of surveillance technologies by private companies.
Corporations Violating Our Rights
People in the comments had a lot to say: “Government will NEVER violate our rights…when they can get corporations to do it for them.”
One commenter added: “FedEx needs to focus on why mails are missing or stolen instead of surveillance….”
Another person added: “This will ONE HUNDRED PERCENT be abused and escalated to whatever the next step is. 1984 and Idiocracy are no longer movies….”
A Wake-up Call
In conclusion, Lehto’s video serves as a wake-up call about the erosion of privacy in the name of security. He urges viewers to remain vigilant and question the increasing surveillance by private companies, especially when such practices are carried out with little to no public oversight.
Ensuring Transparency
What are your thoughts? What measures can be implemented to ensure transparency and accountability in the use of surveillance technologies by private companies? What legal frameworks should be established to protect individuals from unwarranted surveillance by both government and private entities? How can the public be better informed about the extent and implications of surveillance practices?
Explore the full insights by viewing the video on Steve Lehto’s YouTube channel here.
