Surveillance, Power & the God Complex: A Wake-Up Call to Rethink Public Safety Technology

In the video “Surveillance, Power & the God Complex: Why Flock Safety Should Concern You,” the creator from Business Reform takes viewers on a deep dive into one of the most controversial topics in tech and public policy today: the rise of mass surveillance networks powered by private companies and artificial intelligence.

At the center of this discussion is Flock Safety, a fast-growing American tech company that provides AI-driven automated license plate readers (ALPRs) and surveillance cameras to law enforcement, businesses, and communities across the United States.

What the Video Explores

The video doesn’t simply critique surveillance on principle — it examines:

• How surveillance technology shaped by powerful private companies can shift the balance of power in society, especially when the company’s leadership frames its mission as “eliminating all crime.”

• Concerns about a “God complex” — the psychological lens used to question whether tech leaders might overestimate their vision or control when creating systems that track human behavior.

• Real-world stories and concerns including misuse of technology by individuals within law enforcement, debates about privacy, and the risks of surveillance networks becoming normalized.

The overall takeaway: it’s not just about whether surveillance works, but whether the trade-offs in privacy, power and accountability are worth it — and whether society should give companies this level of influence without careful public debate.

Why This Matters

Flock Safety’s technology is already installed in thousands of communities nationwide and performs billions of vehicle scans each month.  This scale has real impact: Supporters point out that it can help solve crimes faster, recover stolen property, and assist missing-person cases with objective evidence. Advocates for privacy and civil liberties warn that expanded surveillance can erode personal freedom, enable misuse by bad actors, and spread beyond intended uses if not carefully governed.

This conversation mirrors larger debates happening across the country as cities and states evaluate whether to adopt — or push back against — technologies that monitor public spaces and movements.

Look Deeper — Not Just at the Tech

Whether you come down on the side of public safety, privacy rights, or something in between, this is a conversation worth having. Understanding what companies like Flock Safety do, how their systems work, and the ethical questions around their deployment is essential in our increasingly connected world.

Before forming an opinion, take a few minutes to: Watch the video itself. Learn about how Flock Safety positions its mission and technology in reducing crime. Explore both criticisms and real-world use cases to get a full picture.