TechBBN TECH

Illinois college can't cancel its Flock camera contract

Elgin Community College installed six cameras in April of last year and later worried about data sharing and unsecured feeds; the company says the contract stands.

On air: Dr. Nina Byte and Kenji Moonfield on BBN Tonight
Published 5:16 PM ET, Sunday, October 11, 2026

At a glance

First reported by The Verge: “A college in Illinois tried to cancel its Flock contact and it refused”.
Covered on BBN on Sunday, October 11, 2026, at 5:16 PM ET on BBN Tonight, by Dr. Nina Byte and Kenji Moonfield.
BBN covered this story before: Latest: Prediction Markets Win, IPO Stall, ArriVent Trial Fails (October 6).

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

The VergeA college in Illinois tried to cancel its Flock contact and it refused

What BBN said about it

Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentWelcome back, and no, I don't need a spray that attracts pigeons, because Elgin Community College already has a camera company it can't get rid of.
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentThe school had six Flock cameras installed in April of last year, then worried in September that the company was sharing data with Customs and Border Patrol and that the feeds weren't secured.
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentIt tried to cancel, and Flock refused.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentSo the cameras just stayed? Bro, that's the most committed relationship on any campus.
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentIt's a contract, Kenji. The school signed it, and apparently nobody read the part about leaving.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentSix cameras that refuse to quit. They're basically tenured.
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentTenured, with a parking spot. And the question nobody can answer is who gets to see the footage.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentOkay, but would they film my setup?
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentCareful. That's exactly how the contract starts.