New surveillance technologies capable of tracking vehicle movements, integrating AI-driven monitoring and expanding digital policing are rapidly being deployed across the United States. A new report by journalist Greg Reese argues these developments raise profound constitutional questions that extend well beyond America and deserve attention from democracies worldwide.
INR Report: Based on reporting by Greg Reese published on Substack: Flock, Axon, Israel and American Freedom. Original article: https://gregreese.substack.com/p/flock-axon-israel-and-american-freedom
According to Greg Reese, the rapid expansion of privately developed surveillance technology is fundamentally changing how law enforcement agencies collect, analyse and retain information about the public. His report focuses on two companies—Flock Safety and Axon Enterprise—and argues that their technologies are helping create an increasingly comprehensive surveillance infrastructure capable of monitoring ordinary citizens on an unprecedented scale.
Reese explains that Flock Safety's automated camera systems capture what the company describes as a "vehicle fingerprint", recording characteristics beyond number plates, including vehicle type, colour and distinguishing features. According to the report, artificial intelligence is then used to identify and follow vehicle movements across participating jurisdictions. One feature highlighted is the generation of thirty-day "heat maps" that can reconstruct travel patterns, associations and habitual movements of individual vehicles. Reese notes that participating agencies are also able to share information across state boundaries through nationwide data-sharing arrangements.
The report states that these systems have attracted increasing public scrutiny, with some cameras reportedly vandalised or destroyed by opponents who argue that widespread surveillance fundamentally changes the relationship between citizens and the state. Reese argues that the concern extends beyond any individual company, suggesting that a broader surveillance ecosystem is now emerging through cooperation between multiple technology providers.
One of those companies is Axon Enterprise, already widely known for supplying police Tasers, body cameras, in-car video systems and digital evidence platforms. Reese reports that Axon has expanded into fixed surveillance infrastructure through its "Axon Lightpost", a camera system designed to attach directly to existing streetlights and integrate with Axon's Fusus software platform already used by many law enforcement agencies. According to the report, this allows fixed cameras, police body cameras and vehicle-mounted systems to operate within a unified digital environment.
The article also discusses Axon's acquisition of Carbyne, an Israeli-founded emergency communications technology company. Reese reports that Carbyne's technology is being incorporated into Axon's emergency response ecosystem while maintaining significant software development operations in Tel Aviv. He further argues that proposed United States-Israel defence technology cooperation legislation could deepen technological integration between the two countries in areas including artificial intelligence, cyber capabilities and defence procurement. These observations and conclusions are those of the author and remain matters of public debate.
Perhaps the central theme of Reese's article concerns constitutional privacy protections. He argues that the routine collection of location data on large numbers of citizens without individual suspicion sits uneasily alongside the Fourth Amendment's protections against unreasonable searches. The report contends that privacy is essential not simply for personal security but for intellectual freedom, independent decision-making and democratic participation. Reese argues that surveillance capable of permanently recording and reconstructing people's movements fundamentally alters the relationship between citizens and government.
Does This Affect New Zealand?
While the technologies discussed originate in the United States, many of the underlying issues have clear relevance for New Zealand.
Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR), expanding CCTV networks, facial recognition technology, AI-assisted policing, digital identity initiatives and large-scale data integration are increasingly becoming part of public policy discussions internationally. New Zealand has also seen growing debate over digital identity systems, online age verification, information sharing between agencies and the expanding role of artificial intelligence in public administration.
The key policy question is not whether technology should assist policing. Most citizens support effective tools that help solve crime and improve public safety. The more difficult question is how democratic societies ensure that surveillance capabilities remain proportionate, transparent and accountable.
As surveillance systems become more sophisticated, questions naturally arise:
- What measurable reductions in crime have these technologies produced?
- How long should personal movement data be retained?
- Who has access to that information?
- What independent oversight exists?
- How can citizens challenge misuse or errors?
- Where should the balance lie between public safety and individual privacy?
These are constitutional questions as much as technological ones.
They are likely to become increasingly relevant as governments around the world continue investing in artificial intelligence, predictive policing, integrated digital identity and automated surveillance systems.
For New Zealand, the debate is ultimately not about adopting or rejecting technology. It is about ensuring that technological capability develops alongside robust democratic safeguards, transparent oversight and respect for the rights and freedoms that underpin an open society.
Source
Greg Reese. Flock, Axon, Israel and American Freedom. Published 16 July 2026. Substack. Original article: https://gregreese.substack.com/p/flock-axon-israel-and-american-freedom
Independent reporting. Original context. Credited sources.