FlockWatch Code of Conduct

What this platform is for

FlockWatch exists to help people organize and take part in lawful, peaceful protest and civic advocacy against surveillance overreach — including automatic license plate reader (ALPR) networks and similar systems — and to make the scale of that surveillance visible.

That's the whole purpose. Everything below exists to protect that purpose and the people who use this platform for it.

This is a space for people who believe privacy is a right worth defending, and who want to do something about it, together, and peacefully. If that's you, welcome.

Who can use FlockWatch

You must be 18 or older to use FlockWatch. By using the platform, you affirm that you are at least 18 years old. We don't collect your birthdate or age — we ask you to confirm this yourself, in keeping with our commitment to collecting as little personal information as possible.

What you're agreeing to

By using FlockWatch, you agree to use it only for:

• Organizing, publicizing, and coordinating peaceful, lawful protests, rallies, and civic advocacy events.
• Sharing accurate information about surveillance infrastructure for transparency and organizing purposes.
• Discussing and commenting on these events and this issue in good faith.

What's not allowed, ever

Coordinating or promoting anything unlawful. This includes property destruction, violence, trespassing, or any other criminal activity — regardless of how the protest itself is framed. Posts or comments that organize or encourage illegal action will be removed, and the account responsible will be suspended.

Using this platform to evade law enforcement during criminal activity. The map on this platform exists for transparency and organizing peaceful protest — not as a tool to help anyone avoid detection while breaking the law. Content posted for that purpose isn't tolerated here regardless of how it's phrased.

Doxxing, in any form. Never post another person's private information without their consent — home address, phone number, workplace, license plate, photos intended to expose or identify them, or any other identifying detail. This applies to everyone: other users, counter-protesters, private citizens, and individual law enforcement officers alike.

Trying to unmask other users. Attendance and identity on this platform are private by design (see below). Attempting to identify, pressure, or expose another user's real identity — including demanding names "off-platform" as a condition of participation — is a violation.

Threats, incitement, or harassment. No threats or encouragement of violence against any person or group, no targeted harassment, no stalking, no intimidation.

Impersonation. Don't pose as another person, organization, or official entity.

Posting fake or misleading events. Don't create fake protests, false locations, or misleading event details. Accurate information keeps people safe and keeps this platform trustworthy.

Hate speech and discrimination. This is a movement for everyone who values privacy and civil liberties. Content that attacks, demeans, or dehumanizes people based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or any other protected characteristic has no place here and undermines the very rights this platform exists to defend.

Spam, scraping, or bulk data extraction. Automated collection of user data, attendee information, or platform content outside normal use is not permitted.

Anything that endangers participants. More broadly than the specific rules above: don't post content whose likely effect is putting an attendee, organizer, or bystander at risk.

How privacy works here

Attendance counts on FlockWatch are shown publicly as aggregate numbers only — "142 going." Individual attendee identities are never shown to anyone, including event organizers. This is a platform design choice, not just a policy — please don't try to work around it (e.g. asking attendees to confirm identity in comments).

Enforcement

Our goal is keeping people safe, not catching people out. We weigh intent and context, and honest mistakes are treated differently from bad-faith violations.

Violations may result in content removal, a warning, temporary suspension, or permanent account termination, depending on severity. If you see content or an account that violates this Code of Conduct, report it using the in-app report tool.

Know your rights and your local laws

Local laws on assembly, permits, and protest vary from place to place. You're responsible for knowing and following the laws where you are. We encourage every organizer and attendee to understand their rights and their local regulations before taking part in any event.

Not legal advice, not a shield

Following this Code of Conduct does not make an action legal, and nothing on this platform authorizes unlawful conduct. FlockWatch is a tool for organizing lawful activity; it is not a substitute for your own judgment about what's lawful where you are.

Acceptance

To use FlockWatch, you must affirmatively agree that you are at least 18 years old, and that you will use FlockWatch only for lawful, peaceful protest organizing and civic advocacy as described above, and that you understand and accept these terms.

We're committed to keeping this Code of Conduct current and will refine it as FlockWatch grows.