Authoritarian regimes don’t run on facts. They run on the primacy of Authority. Cameras record factual information. Facts are inconvenient for Authority. You know, 1984 Department of Truth style.
Facts _are_ weapons for them though. If they have the video they can pick out the 12 seconds that looks like what they want, or if it's all bad just hide it.
You're talking about partial facts and misrepresentations at this point. You're also saying it yourself, facts aren't their primary concern, sure they can be convenient, anything can be made convenient if you're allowed to cherry pick. But the bigger problem is they also have no problems lying and making shit up. Not what I would call caring about facts.
I'm specifically saying that them having access to thousands of random cameras is to their benefit, and not because it will lead to accurate law enforcement.
Yes, they can take advantage of privacy violations, being able to misrepresent facts, and pointing to an infallible technology stack even though it is not.
Sometimes they don't even need real evidence. In 10 years if they get their way, if the AI says you're guilty, you're guilty. Not to mention all the extrajudicial punishments like getting banned from having a bank account or a job, which is like a death sentence.
Municipal cameras do exist for speeding, tolls, and maybe other road research. But Flock is the definition of let's get everyone in dragnet surveillance so we can pick on whoever we want, at least try.
You will need a lot of evidence to make such a counterintuitive claim, when surgically eliminating your enemies without bothering anyone else is such a logical strategy.
I don't think fascists are that smart, they will go after those that get in the way and those who they perceive as weak. They are bullies who are cowards and all that.