A Darth Vader costume, a poem, and droning noise: Americans get creative to protest Flock cameras and data centers

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Darth Vader traveled from a galaxy far, far away to California last month to discuss a topic dear to his heart: Flock's license-plate reader cameras.

During a San Diego public-safety committee meeting, a resident approached the podium wearing the "Star Wars" villain's trademark costume and applauded local officials' decision to allow Flock's cameras across the city.

"The Emperor is a fan of Flock," the man said during his speech. "We must continue utilizing Flock technologies so that we can follow and surveil the rebel scum."

The satirical performance — a far cry from traditional picket lines and protest signs — is just one of several unconventional ways Americans are protesting surveillance technology in front of local leaders.

Founded in 2017, Flock Safety has deployed around 120,000 license plate reader cameras in communities across the US. They've become a popular tool for law enforcement, who can use them to track down suspects or vehicles. Police say they're often valuable in solving cases.

The technology has sparked a growing backlash, however. Dozens of communities have canceled, paused, or suspended contracts, citing privacy concerns, misuse of the cameras, and data sharing with federal immigration officials. A September poll conducted by Reuters and Ipsos found that 47% of respondents didn't want Flock cameras in their communities.

In Seattle earlier this month, a man attended a city council meeting dressed up as Marvel's Dr. Doom and applauded officials for using the tech. In the speech, the man said Dr. Doom had acquired Axon Enterprise, which has its own line of automated license-plate readers.

"This is the first of Doom's gifts to the city of Seattle. The second gift is this: Doom will expand the real-time crime center to all neighborhoods with over 1,000 cameras watching every move," the man said. "Doom has total dominion over the city of Seattle."

The criticism around automated license-plate reader technology isn't the only thing riling Americans up. Data centers have become a bipartisan, hot-button issue ahead of the November midterm elections.