surveillance

So much anxiety about license plate readers

Written July 10th, 2026 by Hasso Hering

Comments: 27 responses.

There seems to be much anxiety in Albany, and around the country, about Flock Safety and other automated cameras that record license plate numbers. What’s the reason for this sudden angst?

Posted in: Commentary, News
Tags: cameras, invasion of privacy, license plate readers, privacy, surveillance

Ahout this observation post, city has answers

Written September 1st, 2023 by Hasso Hering

Comments: 5 responses.

I had some questions about the surveillance trailer set up at Broadalbin Street and Second Avenue downtown, the subject of last night’s story. The answers came today from Chuck Perino, the City of Albany emergency manager and safety officer. As I had guessed, the observation trailer was set up in advance of the downtown Albany […]

Posted in: Commentary, News
Tags: Albany emergency management, downtown bock party, events and festivals, Homeland Security, observation trailer, surveillance, terrorism

Watching you: Eyes above downtown corner

Written August 31st, 2023 by Hasso Hering

Comments: 22 responses.

Police-type lights were flashing blue and red in the sky over downtown Albany Thursday. On a bike ride Thursday night, I saw them from blocks away. What was going on?

Posted in: Bicycling, Commentary, News
Tags: block party, downtown Albany, Emergency management, Homeland Security, Mobile Pro Systems, seccurity, surveillance

Will escape still be possible?

Written July 1st, 2015 by Hasso Hering

Comments: 5 responses.

July 1 is an important date not only because Oregon now allows the “recreational” use of marijuana but because it also is a milestone on the road to total surveillance. So far this surveillance covers only volunteers. But in 10 or 20 years, I doubt escape will be possible for any of us still around.

Posted in: Commentary
Tags: Azuga, mileage charge, ODOT, Road use program, surveillance

Too helpless for everyday life?

Written June 22nd, 2014 by Hasso Hering

Comments: 2 responses.

For less than a hundred bucks you can put a bracelet on our wrist that “tracks everyday activity,” downloads readings to your computer and thus, presumably, makes it available to anyone with the right technology. It’s another slip down the increasingly steep slope toward the total surveillance society. And it’s not being forced on us […]

Posted in: Commentary
Tags: surveillance, Technology, wristband monitors

Want privacy? It’s easy

Written November 4th, 2013 by Hasso Hering

Comments: one response.

Revelations about the vast extent of surveillance by the National Security Agency drive home one point that’s been made many times but deserves to be made again. When we engage in electronic communication, we cannot count on privacy. In fact, if the communication is sensitive or could be embarrassing, we should expect that its confidentiality […]

Posted in: Commentary
Tags: eavesdropping, NSA, privacy, surveillance

When bugging is dumb

Written November 1st, 2013 by Hasso Hering

Comments: no responses.

Sometimes you wonder whether our top spy officials know what they are doing. Or if they know how bad they sound when they say some of the things they say. For example, take James Clapper, the director of national intelligence. The other day Clapper was testifying before Congress. According to the Associated Press, he as much as […]

Posted in: Commentary
Tags: bugging, director of national intelligence, hacking, phone tapping, surveillance