Thread

1. jwally · 1790684914 · focus · HN ↗

   I was thinking about this with flock cameras the other day...what's our actual ROI? Was the world horrible before and these initiatives are going to close a monster crime gap or is this just a giant fishing expedition ... just because?

   1. Arkhaine_kupo · 1790686717 · focus · HN ↗

      > what's our actual ROI?

      its one of the value function that makes it almost impossible to evaluate.

      Lets imagine that catching someone in the Interpol list of wanted terrorists is a huge catch. You would expect the avg catch rate to be almost 0 but once one is caught the avg value of the system becomes very easy to justify.

      Its the same idea as having photos of known terrorists in airports and train stations to see if guards recognise someone. But with the added benefit that the facial recognition should not miss them.

      If the evaluation function is it costs X to run each day and we caught Y number of criminals who robbed phones worth Z > X then the system will come off pretty badly in terms of ROI.

      1. brookst · 1790687874 · focus · HN ↗

         That’s the good faith model.

         In reality, Flock cameras are bought for “law enforcement”, using taxpayer dollars (therefore free to the people making decisions) and enable both feelings of omniscience and the ability to stalk exes.

         So ROI is pretty good when the I comes from someone else and the R is and random act of spying that makes the operators feel powerful.

         Cynical, I know, but not empty cynicism I hope. All evidence leads me that way.

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