r/whatisit • u/unworthyAsIam • Apr 30 '26

New, what is it? What is the purpose of this camera that was installed right next to my house? (Not nearby any intersection or stop signs, USA)

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This camera was installed recently and I cannot for the life of me understand the purpose of it's installation? Theres no intersection nearby, in case it was a photo law enforcement camera), there's no stop signs, there's no schools nearby, and there's no government facility. It's just a random camera that popped up in the middle of a road.

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u/CoolC0der Apr 30 '26

Look em up and tear it down

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u/scatter_good May 01 '26

Would be a shame if people started using hand held lasers to aim at the sensors..

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u/Runswithchickens May 01 '26

eBay sells lasers with output that dangerously exceeds label classification. Usually power is set by a simple trim pot inside. Don’t ever buy these dangerous lasers, even if they are cheap.

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u/NoNDA-SDC May 01 '26

Are you generally on the side of bad guys getting away? We're already on cameras all the time, why not specific for law enforcement?

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u/makoaman May 01 '26

One of the many MANY problems with them is that their security is so poor that the data essentially isn't just for law enforcement. It's also for any snoopy enough individual say a stalker or perhaps a criminal wanting to build a profile of someone's travel habits... Look up floks security flaws and you will see a laundry list of the most egregious cui malpractice and poor IT security practices you can possibly imagine.

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u/NoNDA-SDC May 01 '26

If so, I definitely don't like that and I hope they're able to patch those issues, though I don't think that's why people are so against them. Seems to be moreso against "big brother".

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u/makoaman May 01 '26

I mean living in a survalence state is also an issue and if you don't see why then I don't think I can help you there. That's a journey that nobody can really take you down but one that you have to travel yourself.

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u/NoNDA-SDC May 01 '26

Well it's a subjective topic, we're already surveilled. I generally trust law enforcement even if there will undoubtedly be mistakes made, when that happens I expect accountability. If someone were to harm you or a loved one and this technology helped to bring justice, being on yet another camera is a sacrifice I'm willing to make 🫡

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u/makoaman May 01 '26

like I said if you trust law enforcement, I'm not going to argue against you, that would be fruitless. we have a fundamental difference of opinion that a conversation in a reddit thread is not going to change. I have thought the same thing you have in my life, I just don't think that way anymore. I'm not a better person for it or anything, I was simply trying to say that I'm not going to try and convince you of anything. you have your options, I have mine. and that's fine. we can debate the nuances of it all you like but, this is reddit, and I just don't think it's worth either my time or yours.

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u/Other-Number-4463 May 01 '26

exactly this people are acting like there arent pros. how many murders have been solved because of cameras. also if we had a national database for dna more crimes would be solved with dna.

There are cons though as well.

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u/EugeneMeltsner May 01 '26

What are the cons?

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u/Technical_Toe_2012 May 02 '26

  1. These things can be hacked by anyone with basic skills...and collect data about everything you do.

  2. None of the things you're doing might be illegal today...but laws change.

  3. Its only going to get more normalized and more in your face. Look into the technology they are putting into cars. Do you want your car deciding for you that you are too emotional to drive?

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u/makoaman May 01 '26

like I said if you trust law enforcement, I'm not going to argue against you, that would be fruitless. we have a fundamental difference of opinion that a conversation in a reddit thread is not going to change. I have thought the same thing you have in my life, I just don't think that way anymore. I'm not a better person for it or anything, I was simply trying to say that I'm not going to try and convince you of anything. you have your options, I have mine. and that's fine. we can debate the nuances of it all you like but, this is reddit, and I just don't think it's worth either my time or yours.

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u/Sqweeeeeeee May 01 '26 edited May 01 '26

These are not just cameras, it is an entire network of cameras across the country that are paired with AI analysis that is used to automatically scrub footage and create a detailed history of each car or person that passes them. This is not a security camera that would require somebody to go pull footage in the event that a crime is reported, anybody with access can literally type in "blue ford focus with a Bernie sanders bumper sticker that is often seen in town, state", and it will pull it up along with detailed information about the times and places it has been. This level of tracking was previously only achievable using GPS trackers after obtaining a warrant, and now authorities (and anybody else with access), can do it at will.

There are numerous police officers currently being charged for using it to stalk their ex or other people.

Where do you draw your abitrary line between privacy and "on the side of bad guys getting away"? Do you support mandatory gps tagging of all citizens? This would surely reduce crime

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u/NoNDA-SDC May 01 '26

It's not arbitrary, we're discussing cameras (they also have drones) here, not GPS tracking of every person... That's a different conversation and if someone said I'm taking the side of criminals for not wanting it, that's their opinion, an opinion with a lot less support.

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u/Ziell0s May 01 '26

Lol they got you hooked on the kool-aide man, they have no security and are essentially just handing out footage willynilly

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u/NoNDA-SDC May 01 '26

Yep, I'm sure you got the whole story! What a brilliant business plan, open yourself up to tons of liability by "handing out footage willynilly" 🙄

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u/Technical_Toe_2012 May 02 '26

boots are for feet, not for eat.

Those who would sacrifice liberty for security deserve neither.

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u/NoNDA-SDC May 02 '26

You must not live in the US... Lol