‘Darth Vader’ advocated in person for more Flock surveillance camera tech at a San Diego city council meeting: ‘This technology will help us find the rebel scum and their hidden base on Hoth’
A person dressed as Darth Vader made an unusual appearance at a San Diego city council meeting to publicly advocate for expanding the city’s use of Flock’s AI-assisted surveillance technology. According to reporting by 404 Media, the costumed speaker promoted Flock’s license plate-reading capabilities while employing Star Wars references, including references to tracking “rebel scum” and finding a “hidden base on Hoth.”
Flock specializes in automated license plate readers (ALPR) that use artificial intelligence to identify and track vehicles. The technology is primarily used by law enforcement agencies to locate vehicles of interest. The Darth Vader-costumed advocate expressed support for the city’s continued adoption and expansion of the surveillance system.
The incident represents an unconventional approach to municipal advocacy, combining popular culture imagery with arguments for enhanced surveillance infrastructure. The use of Star Wars references to promote monitoring technology created an ironic juxtaposition, given that Star Wars narratives frequently portray surveillance as a tool of authoritarian control. The appearance highlights ongoing public discourse surrounding surveillance technology adoption in cities, with proponents arguing such systems enhance law enforcement capabilities while privacy advocates raise concerns about comprehensive vehicle tracking and data collection practices.