1308: Benn Jordan | The Surveillance State Stalking You Without Consent

In this compelling three-part episode of The Jordan Harbinger Show, host Jordan Harbinger dives deep with technologist and security researcher Ben Jordan to expose the hidden dangers of the Flock Safety surveillance network, a sprawling system of automated license plate readers deployed across the U.S. under the pretense of public safety. These cameras, numbering over 100,000, collect real-time data on vehicle movements, license plates, and even facial details, feeding into a poorly secured database accessible to law enforcement, private companies, and potentially foreign actors. Jordan reveals alarming vulnerabilities—many cameras run on outdated Android OS with no two-factor authentication—making them easy targets for hackers. The episode details how this data is weaponized: tracking individuals seeking abortions, aiding immigration enforcement, and merging with consumer, social media, and health records to create hyper-detailed profiles used to deny services like mortgages or insurance. Despite the risks, the system is promoted as a crime-fighting tool, yet evidence shows it fails to reduce crime and instead wastes resources and generates false leads. Jordan’s ethical hacking and public disclosures have drawn corporate pushback, including cease-and-desist letters and intimidation, underscoring the power imbalance between citizens and surveillance corporations. The conversation shifts toward resistance and empowerment, with Jordan discussing his work on drone defense systems for Ukraine and advocating for civilian access to drones as tools of self-defense against state overreach. He challenges media-driven fears of crime and homelessness, citing personal experiences in Los Angeles where he encountered unhoused individuals without incident. Jordan also introduces the concept of adversarial noise in music as a form of digital resistance, disrupting AI training and protecting artistic autonomy. He champions open-source investigation models like Bellingcat, showing how ordinary people can use satellite imagery, social media, and public databases to uncover global truths. Harbinger closes the episode by praising Jordan’s commitment to transparency and verifiable evidence, warning that without open methods, public discourse collapses into opinion and manipulation. The episode ends with a call to action: question who defines 'suspicious' behavior, demand accountability, and share knowledge to build a more informed and resilient society.