SECURITY: FLOCK vulnerability exposed, hidden, and eventually leaked out

Monday, October 5, 2026

https://footnote4a.org/news/bishop-fox-3

Flock now says it got hacked mere weeks before Bishop Fox arrived

Flock promised a Bishop Fox report in September. It published a summary saying no customer data was accessed. Three days later, its lawyers said confidential customer data had been taken.
Oct 3, 2026, 2:30 PM EDT
by H.C. van Pelt

*** begin quote ***

According to Michael’s blog post, he told Flock about the vulnerability on November 13, 2025, and it was still unpatched on January 7, 2026. Flock says it closed the issue in December.[4] Both accounts leave the hole open for weeks after the report, long enough for data Flock itself calls “accurate as of December 2025” to leave. In February, Flock wrote, “We do not wait for third parties to surface issues.”

*** and ***

Flock did not notice any data had been taken. It hired Bishop Fox. If Bishop Fox noticed, Flock’s summary does not say so. Flock tells its customers nothing sensitive was exposed, while its lawyers tell Michael he took “proprietary and confidential information belonging to Flock and its customers.”

There are no advisories on Flock’s security advisories page. There are no new CVEs. There are no updates to old CVEs. There are blog posts and emails saying everything is fine, and demand letters and police referrals saying it is not.

Flock wants all of this to “reinforce confidence in Flock’s strong security posture.”

I don’t think it will.

*** end quote ***

Well here’s YET ANOTHER example of an intrusive privacy-invading “service” marketed to Gooferment actors doing something that the Gooferment can’t do on its own, that can’t keep their “proverbial pants zipped”.  And all the time deliberately lying to mislead their “Customers” and the general public. 

This deserves the “corporate version of the death penalty”.  Shut them down and possibly sanction the founders and senior executives.  Everyone, Flock’s insurers and their investors as well, should take a haircut”.

— 30 —

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AI: Hard not to read this article and NOT be concerned.

Friday, September 4, 2026

https://www.politico.com/news/2026/09/01/wake-up-call-for-congress-lawmakers-get-a-big-brother-warning-on-ai-01054087

Own a gun? Go to church? Do yoga? AI can find out in seconds.

  • A series of demos on the Hill has both Democrats and Republicans alarmed about artificial intelligence’s ability to plumb commercial databases for information on Americans.

By Alfred Ng

09/01/2026 04:45 AM EDT

*** begin quote ***

Republicans and Democrats across Capitol Hill are getting a glimpse of artificial intelligence’s latest power: its ability to churn out instant dossiers filled with details about ordinary Americans, from a gun store owner’s leaked email passwords to a church member’s yoga workouts to people’s visits to abortion clinics.

*** end quote ***

Hard not to read this article and NOT be concerned.  

With all the Karens and other crazies out there that seem to think killing people is “socially acceptable”, everyone needs to be concerned.

Hell, I won’t even react to “driving bullies” on the road.  Who knows what will be the result?

Argh!

p.s., while POLITICO is a left-leaning progressive site, in this case, I think they have done a great job “nailing this to the politician’s office door”.  Well done!

“I never learned from a man who agreed with me.” — Robert A. Heinlein

Important to keep an open mind and open ears even to those who you assume are just always “wrong”.

— 30 —

 

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DISCOURAGING: Have we lost the First Amendment and all rights associated with it

Saturday, August 19, 2023

https://legalinsurrection.com/2023/08/appeals-court-no-first-amendment-right-to-religious-exemption-from-vaccine-mandate/?utm_source=feedly&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=appeals-court-no-first-amendment-right-to-religious-exemption-from-vaccine-mandate

Appeals Court: No First Amendment Right to Religious Exemption From Vaccine Mandate

  • The appeals court also rejected the plaintiffs’ privacy and medical freedom, equal protection, and childrearing arguments.

Posted by Terrance Kible Friday, August 11, 2023 at 09:00am 10 Comments

*** begin quote ***

A federal appeals court ruled in Connecticut’s favor in a dispute over the state’s removal of the religious exemption to its vaccine mandate. Connecticut law mandates vaccinations for “schoolchildren, college and university students, and childcare participants.”

The plaintiffs objected on religious grounds “to us[ing] or benefit[ing] from the use of aborted fetal cells” from stem cell lines used to produce some vaccines.

*** and ***

Addressing the childrearing argument, the appeals court acknowledged parents’ right to “the care, custody, and control of their children” but held the childrearing claim could not exist independent of the First Amendment claim, which the appeals court already rejected.

We The Patriots USA vowed “to file for en banc review at the Second Circuit, giving all 13 judges an opportunity to review this decision.” Festa pledged to “appeal to the United States Supreme Court” if unsuccessful before the Second Circuit again.

*** and ***

CommoChief | August 11, 2023 at 9:17 am

Any Amish, Mennonites, Quakers in the 2nd Circuit? They about to be told to sign up for selective service among other things based on the logic of this opinion. If a compelling State interest applied in a neutral manner is all it takes to override religious belief/freedom of conscience exemptions there’s a whole lot of new room for the State to require all sorts of things.

*** end quote ***

I find this stunning!

I can’t think of any more basic right then the rights recognized by the First Amendment.

While I disagree with “incorporation” that somehow makes the States subject to the Bill of Rights, if that is the “playing field” we are on, then surly the First Amendment covers the issue.  The plaintiffs are being enslaved right before our eyes by a tyrannical State Gooferment.

What comes next?

Clearly, Massachusetts residents need to move to New Hampshire.

And, the rest of us need to prepare to do battle on this issue in our own States.  Since tyranny doesn’t stop with one State.

Argh!

—30—

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TECHNOLOGY: Facial recognition software report — not ready for prime time

Saturday, September 6, 2014

2014-Sep-06

http://patch.com/new-jersey/southbrunswick/have-you-seen-her-police-looking-woman-involved-nj-fraud-scheme#.VAsQu2RdXrM

Have You Seen Her? Police Looking for Woman Involved in NJ Fraud Scheme

NOTJJ 2014 09 06

Suspect allegedly stole license plates from cars in East Brunswick, cashed forged checks at various banks around New Jersey, police report.

# – # – # – # – #   

Guess facial recognition software is NOT that good yet!

In one respect, that’s good for privacy.

In another, that’s bad for putting an end to this petty crime spree before others get hurt,

# – # – # – # – #   

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INTERESTING: High Country Bandits; more dumb criminals

Thursday, September 5, 2013

http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2013/08/how-cell-tower-dumps-caught-the-high-country-bandits-and-why-it-matters/#p3

How “cell tower dumps” caught the High Country Bandits—and why it matters
Fishing expeditions can pay dividends—but do they need a warrant?
by Nate Anderson – Aug 29 2013, 8:00am EDT

*** begin quote ***

Cell tower dumps don’t provide the precision of GPS tracking, of course, but they can in some cases provide directional and range information from a specific tower at a specific time—close enough to pin people within a few hundred yards. Because warrant applications often remain sealed, however, even judges rarely know how other judges have ruled on them; Owsley was reduced to asking judges he met at conferences whether they had encountered the issue, which is becoming increasingly common.

In the end, Owsley supports the use of tower dumps, so long as agents seek a warrant first and so long as they explain their plan to purge all numbers not germane to the current case. In addition, he argues that those whose records are swept up should be notified after the fact—especially because the records have a bad habit of ending up as evidence in court cases.

*** end quote ***

A civil libertarian, like this little L libertarian, is always concerned when the Gooferment starts “fishing”.

In this particular case, I find no fault with what was done or the process.

Maybe they could work on doing it “faster”.

I have little sympathy for criminals. In this case with the facts given, the police seem to have done it “right”.

I’m not sure I understand the need to notify all the “discarded” numbers. Maybe some one can explain?

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LIBERTY: DNA ain’t like a fingerprint

Monday, January 7, 2013

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2011/12/time-supreme-court-weigh-forced-dna-collection

December 29, 2011
By Rebecca Jeschke
Time for Supreme Court to Weigh in on Forced DNA Collection

*** begin quote ***

Can the government force people who are arrested – but not yet convicted of a crime – to give a DNA sample without a search warrant, or does that violate the Fourth Amendment?  One arrestee is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to consider this important question, and this week EFF urged the court to take the case.

A federal law mandates DNA collection for those who have been arrested for felonies. The FBI analyzes the samples, and puts a profile into CODIS, a national database.  Those who aren’t eventually convicted of a crime can get their information removed if they request to do so, but data from other individuals remains indefinitely.  In this case from the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, U.S. v. Mitchell, the defendant argues that the DNA collection violates his Fourth Amendment right against unreasonable searches and seizures.

*** end quote ***

Clearly, it”s more than just a tool for “identification”.

As pointed out, it gives your heritage, your health, your health prospects, and who knows what else.

And, “arrested”; not “convicted”.

Also, do you really trust the Gooferment to do ANYTHING?

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GOVEROTRAGEOUS: Drones over Amerika

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

WMAL in DC is going nuts with drones and drone sightings.

They have DOD documents that say that USAF is authorized to use them in a myriad of cases. 

So has the Big Brother “Surveillance State” become a fait acompli?

Similar to one’s electronic privacy that disappeared with the introduction of the Social Security Number.

You remember that gag “Not For Identification Purposes”?

I just had to give it to the gas, electric, and cable companies to start service at my new “crash pad”.

Argh!

“We, The Sheeple” wake up. 

The “third revolutionary war” is over. YOU lost.

You may know return to the modern day bread and circuses where everyone depends on a Gooferment check (and YES, that INCLUDES Social Security!) and everyone watches “reality TV” for their “life”.

Argh! Squared.

By way of a small revolt, I only have one TV in my new condo. And, that’s just a concession to guests.

Argh! Cubed.

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LIBERTY: Has the driver’s license become the de facto national id?

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

http://lewrockwell.com/peters-e/peters-e136.html

The Case Against Driver’s Licenses
by Eric Peters Autos.com

*** begin quote ***

That little plastic laminated card you’ve got in your wallet or purse – you know, the state’s permission slip for operating a motor vehicle? Ever stop to reflect how peripheral the driving part of a driver’s license is?

Because, of course, a driver’s license is in fact our national ID card.

It’s impossible to function in modern society without this national ID card – even if you never get behind the wheel of an automobile. You can’t open a bank account, cash a check, visit the doctor, vote, board an airplane or even get a job without one.

*** and ***

Remember the opening scene in the original Rambo? It all begins when Stallone’s character is accosted by a bully cop who demands to see his ID. That was 1982 – when for the most part only “drifters” such as Rambo got racked up for not having ID. Today, we must all have our IDs. Or else.

This is the reality of 2012 Homeland America.

You must have permission to move. You certainly do not move freely.

Even if you are walking.

*** end quote ***

OK, I get the point.

You’re going to be amazed at how “forgetful” I’ve become.

Unless I am driving, I forgot it.

What my id? Sure, I’ve got my American Legion card right here!

Call my Post Commander, he knows me.

# – # – # – # – #

http://www.jeffjacoby.com/11084/why-should-the-state-license-drivers

Why should the state license drivers?
by Jeff Jacoby The Boston Globe
January 29, 2012

*** begin quote ***

Why should keeping an ordinary driver’s license up to date oblige anyone to deal with a government agency, in person or online? I hadn’t even realized that my license was about to expire until an airport security agent pointed it out to me the last time I flew out of Logan. The Registry no longer sends renewal notices; and woe betide the motorist who gets pulled over with an expired license, an infraction that can trigger a fine of up to $1,000, not to mention a potential arrest.

Try to imagine Visa or Discover requiring you to remember when your credit card is about to expire, and making you get in line at a branch office or go online to renew it. On the contrary: They do the remembering and renew your card automatically. Before the old one expires, you get a new one in the mail. And if there is an anomaly in your account, they typically flag it and alert you right away.

In the private economy, automatic renewals are routine. From Netflix subscriptions to homeowner’s insurance to newspaper delivery, vendors and service providers of every description make it simple to keep your account up-to-date. Your antivirus software and 401(k) investments can be put on autopilot, refreshing at regular intervals unless you choose to opt out. Why shouldn’t your driver’s license work the same way?

Maybe the real question is why the state should license drivers in the first place.

*** end quote ***

I always thought that the Insurance Company should be registering cars and testing drivers. They have the most to lose when the driver screws up or an accident occurs. They seem to be able to manage getting me my insurance ids cards well before they expire.

So why not have a combined vehicle registration and insurace card?

That’s easy. No Gooferment jobs to give to relatives!

# – # – # – # – #  2012-Jan-30 @ 14:59

 

 

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SOFTWARE: DROPBOX and TRUECRYPT

Thursday, January 13, 2011

http://www.lewrockwell.com/rounds/rounds15.1.html

How To Use Dropbox and TrueCrypt To Securely Transfer Files Privately
by Bill Rounds

*** begin quote ***

USING DROPBOX AND TRUECRYPT

Using Dropbox and TrueCrypt should appear fairly self-evident by now. For example, you can travel with a laptop that contains no information across borders and when you arrive at your destination just install Dropbox and sync with your files from the cloud. Because Dropbox has control of the encryption key you can use TrueCrypt for an added layer of protection. That way if the Dropbox servers were compromised for whatever reason the your files would still be encrypted.

Another wonder aspect of setting up your information architecture to use TrueCrypt and Dropbox is that you no longer need to worry about backing up the files. This can save lots of time and headache.

*** end quote ***

So much for the child pornographers being caught at the border crossing.

I’m advising that all international travelers NOT carry ANY computing platform through “security”. (Not that it makes us any more secure; it’s just theater to amuse the rubes.)

That means phone, ipads, netbooks … … nothing.

You can’t know what they will “find” when they do their “data proctology” exam. Or, what they will place on your hardware when it’s outside of your control.

Come to think of it that’s good advice even inside the US.

Argh!

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TECHNOLOGY: Privacy in social networking; None!

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

http://catless.ncl.ac.uk/Risks/25.98.html

Date: Sat, 27 Mar 2010 09:18:36 -0400

From: reinke ferdinand
Subject: Plain Dealer sparks ethical debate by unmasking anonymous poster

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2010/03/plain_dealer_sparks_ethical_de.html

Plain Dealer sparks ethical debate by unmasking anonymous Cleveland.com poster
By Henry J. Gomez, *The Plain Dealer*, 26 Mar 2010

*** begin quote ***

By unmasking an anonymous poster at its companion website, The Cleveland Plain Dealer finds itself in an ethical quandary, stirring a debate that balances the public’s need to know against the privacy concerns of online participants.

The newspaper traced the identity of `lawmiss’ after someone using that moniker left a comment about the mental state of a relative of reporter Jim Ewinger. The comment was removed for violating cleveland.com’s community rules, which do not allow personal attacks.

Users are required to register with a valid e-mail address before posting at cleveland.com. Upon learning of the Ewinger issue Monday, an online editor looked up lawmiss’s e-mail address, which like all others, is accessible through software used to post stories to the website.

“It does raise the question of the wisdom and fairness of the newspaper using the registration system of the website for reporting purposes,” Steele said in a telephone interview.

The newspaper’s decisions could have a chilling effect on conversation at cleveland.com, said Rebecca Jeschke of the Electronic Frontier Foundation, an online privacy rights group.

“I would think twice before participating in a message board where I had to give my e-mail address knowing that management could access it at any time,” Jeschke said. “It seems appropriate in this case, but … it’s hard not to imagine scenarios where it’s abused.”

Other news organizations already hide such information from their editorial staff, said Steve Yelvington, a strategist for Morris Digital Works, the online division of Morris Communications. The company runs 13 daily newspapers in Florida, Georgia, Texas and other states. “We are careful to firewall our business records from our journalists,” Yelvington said.

*** end quote ***

Regardless of where one comes down on the issue of Internet privacy (IMHO there ain’t none), or how much should you trust anything on the inet (IMHO zero trust), and technology in general (IMHO we give boobs the equivalent of loaded guns and they are astonished when some one gets hurt), this was completely preventable.

Use a “disposable” e-mail account!

Haven’t these people ever heard of GMAIL? No invitation required now! You can even use multiple ones! Ask any “child” who wants to break free from Mom and Dad’s supervision. That’s without even getting “tricky” of using one of the “disposable websites that create e-mail addresses that only work for a very limited time; perfect for “e-mail validation” requirements. If Chinese bloggers can hide form their oppressive regime, then we can conclude that most of us who want “privacy” can figure out a way to do it. In this case, the technology-naive are getting a very expensive education in “technology”.

And, this wasn’t even the government seeking to find out who made a nasty comment. Wait till the Internet-using public says something the government doesn’t like. Such as “taxes are too high”, “the <insert favorite government agency> is inept, corrupt, or stupid”, or quote Jefferson, Lysander Spooner, or Sam Adams. Then, the proctology exam will begin.

Replies will b

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