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Project ideas from Hacker News discussions.

Flock Exposed Its AI-Powered Cameras to the Internet. We Tracked Ourselves

Original Article

Hacker News Discussion

📝 Discussion Summary (Click to expand)

1. Police Misuse and Abuse of Surveillance Data

Widespread concern that police exploit ALPR systems for personal stalking rather than legitimate purposes. "When you give access to any system that collects the personal information including location data for people in the US to the police, a percentage of the police will always use those systems for stalking their exes." (throwway120385). quitit: "I keep an unofficial record of instances where police and similar authorities have abused their access to these types of systems. The list is long."

2. Opposition to Mass Surveillance and Data Collection

Core issue is the existence of pervasive ALPR networks bypassing due process, enabling state overreach. edot: "The issue is the collection and collation of this footage in the first place! I don’t want hackers watching me all the time, sure, but I DEFINITELY don’t trust the state or megacorps." dvtkrlbs: "the biggest problem with this kind of ALPRs are they bypass the due process."

3. Security Vulnerabilities and Misconfigurations

Outrage over easily accessible unsecured cameras, even for a CJIS vendor. tencentshill: "It's amazing that any vendor, let alone a CJIS vendor even allows unsecured deployments of their software in 2025." Spooky23: "Was it misconfigured? Or 'misconfigured' so people in the know can bypass the minimal controls?"

🚀 Project Ideas

FlockScan: Public Exposure Detector

Summary

  • A web-based scanner and interactive map that identifies exposed Flock Safety camera consoles and streams via Google dorking, Shodan integration, and automated probes, alerting users to unsecured deployments.
  • Core value: Empowers researchers and activists to document vulnerabilities, press for fixes, and raise awareness like "Benn Jordan's video" exposures.

Details

Key Value
Target Audience Privacy advocates, security researchers, local activists fighting surveillance deployments
Core Feature Real-time scanning, geolocated map of exposed cams, exportable reports for FOIA requests
Tech Stack Node.js + Puppeteer for dorking, Leaflet.js for maps, Shodan API, PostgreSQL + PostGIS
Difficulty Medium
Monetization Hobby

Notes

  • "Really great investigation, what's the URL of the 'vibe coded' site with the access links?" – directly addresses demand for tools like the video's findings.
  • HN would love the open-source auditability and utility for blocking deployments, e.g., "Washington court rules... they got rid of the cameras."

OpenALPR Auditor

Summary

  • Open-source platform aggregating public ALPR data from court-ruled open records (e.g., Washington state), with query tools and abuse reporting tied to license plates, promoting transparency.
  • Core value: Forces accountability by making data public, as "candiddevmike" suggested: "require them TO be open for anyone to query against. Maybe then people would care more."

Details

Key Value
Target Audience Citizens, journalists, lawyers challenging police abuse
Core Feature Public query interface (plate search), crowdsourced abuse logs (stalking incidents), API for integrations
Tech Stack React + Next.js frontend, Supabase backend, Elasticsearch for fuzzy searches
Difficulty High
Monetization Revenue-ready: Freemium API ($10/mo pro queries)

Notes

  • Quotes like "quitit: I keep an unofficial record of instances where police... abused their access" – automates and scales personal lists into a shared database.
  • Sparks HN debates on open data vs. privacy, with practical use for lawsuits/FOIAs.

ALPRShield: Driver Alert App

Summary

  • Mobile app using crowdsourced GPS data and open camera indexes to alert drivers in real-time of nearby ALPR/Flock cameras, with optional plate obfuscation tips or routes.
  • Core value: Gives individuals practical defense against warrantless tracking, addressing "I don’t want... the state or megacorps to watch me all the time."

Details

Key Value
Target Audience Everyday drivers wary of surveillance, privacy enthusiasts
Core Feature AR overlay on camera locations, evasion routing, anonymous data contribution
Tech Stack Flutter for cross-platform, Mapbox SDK, Firebase for crowdsourced DB
Difficulty Medium
Monetization Revenue-ready: $4.99 one-time purchase

Notes

  • Responds to fears like "throwaway120385: police will always use those systems for stalking their exes" by helping users avoid scans.
  • HN commenters would dig the hacktivist utility and discuss expansions like jamming signals ethically.

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