Why there’s so much pushback against data centers, Flock cameras
Public pushback is growing in Arizona against new technologies, including data centers and surveillance cameras. Several cities across the state have rejected data center proposals due to this resistance. These issues are now becoming significant topics in the upcoming statewide election, including the Governor's race.
The video from Arizona's Family (3TV / CBS 5) highlights a growing public backlash against various technologies, specifically data centers and surveillance camera systems like Flock cameras and photo radar. This resistance is evident across Arizona, where several "Valley cities" have canceled contracts with Flock and others have rejected data center proposals.
Bill Buddington, a senior staff technologist for the Electronic Frontier Foundation, explains that a common theme connecting this pushback is the public's perception of these new technologies being "done to them" rather than being something they actively utilize. He notes that people feel a lack of control when a new data center appears in their town or surveillance cameras are installed.
The reporter states that the public resistance is escalating, particularly in the last month, and these issues are now becoming significant campaign topics in the upcoming statewide election, including the Governor's race, which is just over two months away. The report suggests that the public pushback has "raised the bar" in terms of what people are willing to tolerate from such technologies.