The rapid proliferation of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and cloud computing has necessitated a massive physical expansion of digital infrastructure. Across the United States, sprawling data centers—often referred to as the “factories of the 21st century”—have been popping up in rural and suburban landscapes alike. However, as these facilities consume vast quantities of electricity and … Read More “The End of the "Free Pass": States Pivot as Data Center Tax Incentives Face Growing Backlash” »
Tag: backlash
In an era where technology is increasingly worn on the face, the boundary between public interaction and private surveillance has become porous. As companies like Meta, Snap, and various boutique electronics manufacturers push smart glasses and augmented reality (AR) headsets into the mainstream, a new subculture of counter-surveillance has emerged. The latest entry into this … Read More “The Rise of the "Anti-Zuck" Era: Privacy, Bluetooth Surveillance, and the Smart Glasses Backlash” »
The Silent Retreat: How Public Backlash Forced Flock Safety to Abandon Its "Distress" Surveillance Program
On July 17, 2026, the landscape of American public surveillance shifted, if only slightly, when Flock Safety—a dominant force in the private-public law enforcement infrastructure—announced the termination of its "human distress detection" pilot program. The decision, confirmed by the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), followed months of escalating public outrage, organized resistance, and profound legal questions … Read More “The Silent Retreat: How Public Backlash Forced Flock Safety to Abandon Its "Distress" Surveillance Program” »
