- SOCIETY
Group protests outside SF cryptocurrency billionaire’s home over Flock cameras, surveillance use
BySuzanne Phan
Sunday, August 23, 2026 9:04PM
Demonstrators rallied in San Francisco as part of a national week of action against automated license plate readers.
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) –Demonstrators rallied in San Francisco on Friday as part of a national week of action against automated license plate readers, calling for cities to cancel contracts with Flock Safety and remove surveillance cameras.
Members of the Sunrise Movement, a youth climate group, gathered outside the home of cryptocurrency billionaire Chris Larsen, criticizing his support for surveillance technology and arguing that public safety re
Protesters distributed brightly colored flyers pointing to Flock Safety cameras and encouraging residents to take action.
“There’s not much evidence that flock cameras significantly impact crime rates,” said Luc Bouchard, an organizer with Sunrise Movement Bay Area.
The group also displayed a mock surveillance camera bearing the message, “Does this make you feel safer, Chris?”
MORE: Neighbors raise privacy concerns after Brentwood HOA installs Flock cameras
According to Bouchard, the protest was directed at Larsen, CEO of Ripple, because of his financial support for surveillance initiatives in San Francisco.
“Chris Larsen is a cryptocurrency billionaire who has invested more than any tech billionaire in the tech surveillance system in San Francisco,” Bouchard said.
“He gave a $9.4 million philanthropic grant to the city so they could procure additional surveillance technology,” he added.
MORE: Antioch police launches Flock Camera Transparency Portal, allowing public to access data
The demonstration took place outside Larsen’s home.
“He feels that he’s entitled to watch us, we came to his house to watch him,” Bouchard said.
While organizers said they support efforts to improve public safety, they argued that automated license plate readers are not the best solution.
“We do know that the most effective way to make communities safer is to invest in affordable housing, into jobs, into social services,” Bouchard said. “That’s what we’re advocating for as opposed to mass surveillance.”
Law enforcement agencies have said Flock cameras help locate stolen vehicles and missing people.
MORE: San Jose City Council approves plan to restrict Flock camera data, usage
ABC7 Eyewitness News reported that it reached out to Flock Safety for comment. On social media, the company has emphasized its commitment to public safety and said it has implemented “new steps to strengthen privacy and accountability.”
Opponents of the technology point to cities that have ended their relationships with the company. In El Cerrito, local activists recently celebrated the removal of the city’s Flock cameras.
“All the cameras removed yesterday (Friday),” said Brian Fogg of Flock Out El Cerrito.
“Volunteers of our group have checked and been following around the neighborhood,” Fogg said. “Flock cameras are down in El Cerrito. I feel great about it. And I feel like it’s a great example for other cities in how they can organize.”
Organizers said the demonstrations are part of a broader national campaign against automated license plate reader systems. Bouchard said his group planned to join another protest Sunday at Fruitvale BART Station in Oakland as advocates continue pushing cities to reconsider the use of Flock cameras.
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