Oconee County Council Covers Surveillance Cameras Amid Surveillance Ban
Oconee County, South Carolina, council members covered Flock surveillance cameras with trash bags following the county's recent decision to ban these cameras and other forms of mass surveillance on county property, making it the first county in the state to…
Greenville Spartanburg Asheville Anderson, SC, September 16, 2026 — In Oconee County, South Carolina, council members took a visible step to enforce a new policy by covering Flock surveillance cameras with trash bags. This action follows the county council’s recent decision to ban these cameras and other forms of mass surveillance on county property. Oconee County has become the first county in South Carolina to implement such a ban.
The decision to ban mass surveillance technology on county property was reportedly driven by concerns over resident privacy. The specific details regarding the timeline of the camera installation or when the ban was officially enacted were not provided in the summary. Similarly, the exact number of Flock cameras affected by this measure or their precise locations on county property were not specified.
The council members’ act of covering the cameras with trash bags serves as a physical manifestation of the county’s new policy. This direct action indicates a commitment to enforcing the ban immediately after its adoption. However, the specific process for decommissioning or removing the cameras after they have been covered was not detailed.
Flock Safety is a company that provides license plate reading cameras, often used by law enforcement and public entities. The ban enacted by Oconee County signifies a move away from such technologies for surveillance purposes within the county’s jurisdiction. The motivations behind the ban, as stated, center on resident privacy concerns. Without further details, it remains unclear if any alternative surveillance methods will be adopted or if this represents a complete cessation of certain types of surveillance activities by the county.
The implications of Oconee County’s decision extend beyond its borders, as it marks a significant stance for privacy rights within the state of South Carolina. The county’s proactive measure sets a precedent that other municipalities or counties might consider in light of ongoing debates about data privacy and the expansion of surveillance technologies in public spaces. Further information regarding the implementation and long-term effects of this ban is expected.
Story summarized from the original created by Ashley Listrom on www.foxcarolina.com, see more information here.
Media gallery
