A group of hackers identifying as stegan0gram recently targeted a Flock Safety camera, physically removing the device to gain access to its internal data and software architecture. The group’s primary objective was to investigate how the surveillance technology functions and what specific information it collects from passing vehicles.

According to findings shared with Wired and 404 Media, the hackers discovered that the camera’s software is capable of generating dozens of individual images from a single passing vehicle. This process allows the system to develop a unique 'signature' for that vehicle, which can then be used for tracking purposes. The investigation suggests that the cameras are designed to capture more granular data than previously understood by the general public, raising questions about the extent of automated surveillance in residential and commercial areas.

Flock Safety, the company behind the devices, has not yet issued a detailed public response regarding the specific security vulnerabilities exploited by the hackers or the accuracy of the claims regarding their data collection capabilities. The incident highlights ongoing tensions between private surveillance companies and privacy advocates who argue that such technology lacks sufficient oversight. While the hackers framed their actions as an effort to increase transparency regarding surveillance infrastructure, the physical destruction and theft of the device remain a point of legal concern. The investigation conducted by the media outlets indicates that this data collection occurred over a 21-day period, though the full scope of the data accessed remains under review.