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“Endling” features trauma bonding

September 29, 2026 by with comment off

(“‘Endling’ is a novel written with the historical context of the Russian-Ukrainian war in mind.”)

Rick Dalton
Connector Staff

“Endling” is the 2025 debut novel from Ukrainian-born Canadian author Maria Reva, and it is an experience. The story follows an ensemble cast of characters as the war between Russia and Ukraine escalated in February 2022. These characters, as well as Reva herself, are the title characters, along with one particularly special snail named Lefty.

The story begins with asexual and depressed 24-year-old Yeva, who is a full-time snail biologist and part-time bride in the Ukrainian romance tour circuit. Yeva is tired of living but keeps going for her snails. Her life’s work involves cataloguing extremely endangered species of snails, such as her personal favorite Lefty, whose unique shell spirals the opposite way as most of his fellow snails. Lefty is an endling, like so many snails that Yeva has seen go extinct. Yeva lives and works in her mobile lab, and she is planning an exit from existence when the time is right.

Then there is Nastia, a fiery 18-year-old reluctant bride, and her sister Sol, Nastia’s translator who is a few years older and much more jaded than her sister. Their mother is on the run, as she was once a highly controversial protester against the romance tours. Nastia concocts a plan to get her mother’s attention by tearing apart the romance tours from the inside. Nastia takes a job as a bride to abduct twelve prospective bachelors and create an international incident to show the world how Ukrainian women are exploited by the marriage industry. Nastia somehow manages to convince Yeva to let her borrow her mobile lab. Sol will do what she must to protect her sister and find their mother, so the three women start to scheme.

There is also Pasha, a Ukrainian-born Canadian bachelor in his thirties. Pasha has yet to meet the right woman and has given up hope at finding love in his adopted homeland of Canada. Pasha decides to travel back to the land of his mother tongue to reconnect with his roots. Pasha longs to find a nice, traditional Ukrainian bride, with a name like Olya. Pasha befriends an arrogant American tech bro type named Bertrand, who is one of the twelve bachelors that the trio of abductors select for their mission. Pasha shows up as the unexpected thirteenth bachelor, and the women reluctantly bring him along.

Shortly after the women bring the bachelor off for a mysterious and fake night of fun, war breaks out and chaos ensues. Reva takes a break from the action to address the morality of writing a novel about her homeland during a troubling time and begins to self-insert into various roles throughout the novel. Each character has a different view on the romance tours, which are certainly a complicated issue. As the novel unfolds, it appears that each character may share similarities with the author, in addition to her more obvious doppelgangers. Narrators are at various points obsessed, indifferent, angry, sad, and even glowing about the romance tours. In their own way, each character is just trying to do what they can for the best of themselves and their species. It is hard to get mad at any of them except Bertrand.

There is a meta shift at the height of the action that feels somewhat jarring at first, but it adds such an incredible layer of depth to the novel. Reva’s commentary about her homeland is fascinating. Despite leaving Ukraine when she was an eight-year-old, she feels an inseparable bond to the land that gave her the mother tongue she does not recall as well as she would like, much like Pasha. Reva wonders if she is the right person to deliver the message at such a difficult time for the nation. This makes for a fascinating discussion about homelands, and just who gets to feel what about a piece of land they had no say in being born in or choosing whether to remain.

While on the surface, the novel appears to be about burning down the romance tours, Reva treats all affected parties with great empathy, even as they make increasingly irrational decisions as tensions rise. The reader is reminded that at the end of the day, what purpose is there in living if not to keep the species going any way they can? And who are we to judge those that want to find a life partner, and therefore a reason to live.

Grade: A+



Disney disables 4K and HDR10 in Europe from Disney+ following court ruling

September 29, 2026 by with comment off

(Image courtesy of IGN. “The Walt Disney Company released Disney+ for global audiences six years ago.”)

Maxi France
Connector Editor

The Walt Disney Company has removed the screen technologies 4K and HDR10 from Disney+, decreasing its picture quality for customers in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Romania and Sweden. This decision comes after the the Mannheim Local Division of the Unified Patent Court (UPC) issued an injunction against the company on June 16, 2026, ruling that Disney used patented technology held by research and development company InterDigital without the appropriate license. Disney has appealed the ruling. 

The technology includes High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) techniques, which Disney uses to encode and stream 4K and HDR10 content. 

Following the ruling, Disney removed 4K and HDR10 support from Disney+ in the affected countries. Prime Video continues to offer 4K and HDR content after Amazon reached a licensing agreement with InterDigital.

In addition, Disney has also removed Dolby Vision and 3D imaging across Europe from Disney+ because of the ruling. Now, viewers in affected countries will not be able to see enhanced features on their televisions through Dolby Vision HDR nor will they be able to watch 3D movies on Disney+. 4K, HDR10, Dolby Vision and 3D are all included in the premium subscription for Disney+, meaning that customers in the affected countries may not currently have access to some features included with their subscription.

For their troubles, subscribers who experienced the removal of these services but who are still paying for unfulfilled services can ask their appropriate provider to be refunded. In addition, premium subscribers in Germany can easily cancel their subscriptions.

Disney assured customers affected that they are making efforts to restore support. The company has implemented a workaround in place of 4K UHD on Disney+ Premium after it was removed because of the patent ruling. Disney+ has released for customers a VP9 (video pixel 9) video codec to bring back 4K streaming in affected countries. This is a video coding format that Google originally created that allows Disney to provide customers with 4K resolution. VP9 is the ninth generation of the video codec family, and Google released the format on June 17, 2013. 

Disney said the technology supports certain television devices. These consist of LG, Phillips, Sky Glass, and Sony televisions, as well as Amazon Fire televisions. However, Disney also said that not every device is compatible with the VP9 video codec format. The format is unavailable on Apple televisions, Samsung televisions and video game consoles. This means that while the VP9 video codec has been released to the public, customers without the appropriate devices might not be able to stream 4K via the alternative format Disney has provided.

Though Disney has brought back 4K UHD on televisions and other devices following the ruling, the company has yet to explain to the public a solution for how to bring back HDR10, Dolby Vision, and 3D imaging to affected customers. It is also unclear if Disney has plans to find a way to bring 4K UHD to devices that are incompatible with the VP9 format. This story is developing.



United Nations General Assembly 2026 convenes under shadow of war

September 29, 2026 by with comment off

Will Quinlan

Connector Contributor

As the United Nations General Assembly convened this week in New York City for its 81st session, the pervading atmosphere on the debate floor was uneasy as world leaders took to the podium to speak. The proceedings so far have been marked by dramatic walkouts, incendiary threats, and an overall attitude of unprecedented hostility between member nations. On the opening day of the high-level U.N. General Debate on Tuesday, Sept. 22, all eyes were on the United States as delegations prepared for President Trump to take the stage.

Notably, this year’s General Assembly is the first in which the host nation is actively at war with the nation of an attending delegation, in this case, Iran. Although hostilities have diminished in recent weeks, no agreement has yet been reached to end the war started by a joint American-Israeli surprise attack on Feb. 28 of this year. Under the 1947 United Nations Headquarters Agreement, the United States is obligated to allow safe passage into the country for all official delegations.

President Trump’s 38-minute speech consisted of further threats of violence against Iran, as well as aggressive rhetoric toward other member nations. “Will a deal be made with Iran that lets them rebuild and create a far greater country than it ever was before, maybe one of the greatest in the Middle East or even the world? Or do I annihilate the Islamic Republic and do it quickly, never giving them a chance to kill and destroy people and countries again?” Trump said.

The president went on to accuse Cuba of being “a failed state”, calling the small island nation “a haven of foreign adversaries to threaten America”, and claimed the Cuban government “will fall.” The Cuban delegation walked out in protest as he delivered these remarks. Also speaking on Tuesday was president of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who emphasized the importance of preserving Brazilian sovereignty amid allegations of American interference in the upcoming presidential election on Oct. 4.

The leaders of Jordan, Turkey, and Qatar spoke as well, all denouncing Israeli’s actions in Gaza since the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks. Qatar’s Sheikh Tamim said that Palestinians have undergone “a genocide in every sense of the word,” while criticizing member nations for turning a blind eye.

The main event on Wednesday, Sept. 23, was when Iranian president, Masoud Pezeshkian, took to the podium to deliver his first remarks at the U.N. since the beginning of the war, delivering an 18-minute speech denouncing the joint American-Israeli bombing offensives since February, and affirming the rights of Iran to sovereignty and self-defense amid ongoing American efforts to destabilize the Iranian government.

The American delegation walked out at the beginning of Pezeshkian’s speech, as the Iranian president held up photos showing the aftermath of an American tomahawk missile strike that hit an elementary school in Minab, Iran, on Feb. 28: the first day of the war. The attack killed at least 175 schoolchildren and teachers.

A U.N. fact finding team announced last week that there were reasonable grounds to believe that the Minab attack, as well as another strike that hit a sports hall in the city of Lamerd the same day killing at least 21 people, constituted war crimes. Pezeshkian also warned the U.S. against expanding its already costly war, accusing President Trump of a “bullying attitude” and insisting upon the right of Iran to control the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, stating, “It cannot be the case that everyone benefits from the Strait of Hormuz while we are denied access to shipping through this waterway. The permanent deployment of hostile fleets and the expansion of the war will not lead to peace”.

On the morning of Thursday, Sept. 24, and into the afternoon, thousands of protesters gathered in New York City and dozens were arrested outside the U.N. headquarters, as embattled Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu took to the floor. Netanyahu was allowed to speak despite a 2024 International Criminal Court arrest warrant alleging war crimes and crimes against humanity. Delegations from dozens of countries walked out in protest as he took to the stage, with the notable exception of the American one. In a 40-minute address, Netanyahu repeatedly denied allegations of genocide against his government, while defending the joint American-Israeli war against Iran, which has killed thousands of Iranians with no end in sight.

The U.N. General Debate is slated to continue through the weekend, wrapping up on Monday, Sept. 28. Other delegations expected to speak over the weekend include representatives from China, Russia, India, and many more. When asked for comment on the events thus far, UMass Lowell freshman, Jake Burridge, stated, “In my opinion, from what I’ve seen of the U.N. meeting this week, Trump and Netanyahu especially seem to be perfect examples of modern day imperialists.”

UMass Lowell research reactor’s fifth jubilee.

September 29, 2026 by with comment off

AJ Hippensteele
Connector Contributor

Last year, the UMass Lowell research reactor, one of only a few dozen university-run research reactors in the United States, celebrated fifty years of operation since it first achieved criticality on Jan. 25, 1975. Over those fifty years, the reactor has provided valuable research opportunities to students as well as radiation exposure testing for materials and electronics used in aviation and space missions. 

With the fifty-year celebration, facility leaders announced that they were in talks with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Nuclear Science User Facilities to create a plan and procure funding for an expansion of the facility. The proposed expansion for the facility would increase operating power from one megawatt to seven megawatts, which would provide production of medical isotopes, increasing the operation run time of the reactor and expanding research avenues for students and the community.

“Going to seven megawatts would open the door to medical isotope production and more materials testing,” said Declan Haraghey, a radiation safety technician at UMass Lowell,“and because the reactor would be running more for that work, other researchers would get more time on it at a lower cost.” The ability to produce medical isotopes would supply the reactor with an additional revenue stream while increasing the availability of lifesaving treatments across the country. 

Medical isotopes are valuable resources in medical diagnostic imaging and radiation therapies, mostly for cancer and heart disease detection. Since many of these isotopes decay rapidly, usually boasting a half-life of hours to days, they need to be produced and delivered continuously to hospitals. If UMLRR (University of Massachusetts Lowell Research Reactor) gains the ability to produce such isotopes, local hospitals could begin to rely on its supply of the isotopes for urgent patient procedures, since these isotopes cannot be stockpiled because of their short lives. Dr. Steven Snay, director of radiation safety at UMass Lowell, provided an insight into how this could impact the community, and the country.

“In the United States, and more locally in New England, there is a shortage of lifesaving medical isotopes.” Snay said. “Some cancer patients have their treatments rescheduled because the isotope(s) did not make it on the plane, or through customs. At a higher reactor power and with our proven fifty plus year safety record, we could supply isotopes to our major local hospitals, ensuring those receiving treatment get it when they need it”.

Snay added that the power uprate would offer new opportunities for student projects, such as system commissioning, thermohydraulic studies, and new facility assessments. Additionally, the expansion would increase availability for existing faculty and research clients.

Beyond commercial isotope production, the planned expansion will provide more job and research opportunities for UMass Lowell students. Operating at seven megawatts will create the need for more reactor operators, maintenance staff, and radiation safety officers since the facility plans to operate for longer periods of time. Student researchers and workers will be able to gain practical experience that can put them in a great position for careers in government research labs, medical facilities, and commercial nuclear power.

Upgrading the reactor’s output by such a large margin requires substantial improvements to the physical and infrastructural components of the facility. Installing additional cooling towers will allow the facility to manage higher heat loads better, while new high-capacity pumps will provide increased coolant circulation demanded from higher operating power. Additionally, to meet federal safety standards, the reactor must transition to a new fuel and obtain a new license from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission alongside fluid system updates and system analyses. As UMLRR enters its revamping, the proposed expansion marks a big milestone for campus research and how UMass Lowell can provide a positive impact on the local community. If successful, the expansion will provide valuable medical isotopes to hospitals across New England and solidify the university as a major front for nuclear science by 2030 

UMass Lowell men’s soccer wins four straight: Catching up with center back Louis Dufrachie

September 29, 2026 by with comment off

(Photo courtesy of Nick Grace) UMass Lowell men’s soccer center back, Louis Dufrachie, on the field.

Danny Podolsky

Connector Editor

“It’s not over.”

Those were the words uttered by Louis Dufrachie in the closing minutes against Manhattan last Friday. Leading the entire way, UML allowed a game-tying score in the 84th minute against the Jaspers.

“We had like three minutes left, and I just said, ‘It’s not over. Keep playing as we know how to do. Don’t rush it, we have time,’” Dufrachie exclaimed.

Turns out, he was right.

With less than a minute remaining, UMass Lowell earned one final corner kick. The play was not designed for Dufrachie, but the 6-foot-4 center back found himself in the right place at the right time. He connected on a header and slipped it past the Jaspers’ goalkeeper in the 90th minute, giving the River Hawks a dramatic 2-1 victory.

Dufrachie immediately ripped off his jersey as his teammates swarmed the French defender. The celebration earned Dufrachie a yellow card, but he was not exactly concerned about the consequences.

“At that moment, I didn’t think about anything, just about the win,” Dufrachie said. “Especially as a center back, when you score a goal, you’re not used to it. I don’t have a celebration, so I just had to take my jersey off and just enjoy it with the team.”

The goal quickly made its way around social media, with Dufrachie seeing notifications and reposts throughout the weekend. For someone whose soccer career has already taken him thousands of miles from home, it was another memorable moment in a journey that began in France.

Dufrachie started playing soccer at just five years old. By 11, he had joined a semi-professional French club and would remain with the organization for several years, progressing through its youth system before reaching the adult level.

At 16, Dufrachie received an opportunity that dramatically changed his career. He traveled to England for trials with Huddersfield Town and said the club wanted him to return to sign a contract. The COVID-19 pandemic prevented that from happening.

For a time, Dufrachie even considered walking away from soccer after finishing his high school days at Lycee Notre Dame Le Menimur High School in Vannes, France. Instead, he and his family eventually decided that coming to the United States offered a can’t-miss opportunity: to continue playing soccer while traveling, improving his English, and most importantly, pursuing an education. 

His first stop was Southwestern Christian Community College for a year. Then, he went to Camden County Community College as a sophomore.

The junior college experience proved to be a successful introduction to American soccer. Playing on a roster filled with international athletes, Dufrachie helped Camden County put together a 16-0-1 season in which the team scored more than 100 goals and finished third in the nation last season. 

The years of hard work paid off for Dufrachie.

With the help of his agent, Dufrachie eventually found his way to UMass Lowell, where he transferred at the start of the season. The center back had other offers, but conversations with the River Hawks’ coaching staff convinced him Lowell was the right destination.

“I had a call with Coach Kyle [Zenoni], and I had a great feeling. I had another call with all the coaching staff, and I was pretty confident about the project.” Dufrachie explained. 

The international makeup of UMass Lowell’s roster has also helped make the transition easier for him. Rather than pointing to one teammate who helped him settle in, Dufrachie credited the entire group. Eighteen of the 31 players are from outside of the U.S., and the team represents 11 different countries. 

“Everybody’s helping each other on the team,” he said. “There is a really good atmosphere on the team.”

Dufrachie’s ambitions stretch beyond his time at Lowell. The defender wants to complete his degree but made it no secret that his ultimate goal would be to turn professional in the sport.

For now, however, his attention remains on what the River Hawks can accomplish this fall. 

When Dufrachie spoke with us following the Manhattan victory, UMass Lowell had won three consecutive games and was preparing to begin conference play. Since then, the River Hawks have continued to build momentum, as UML opened conference play with a 3-2 victory over UMBC on Saturday, extending their winning streak to four games and improving their overall record to 5-2-2. 

Dufrachie believes the team’s improvement has been visible on both ends of the field. The River Hawks’ defense was seen as a strength coming into the season, and they have lived up to their potential so far, allowing only 1.1 goals per game through their first nine fixtures. The offense has been outstanding as well, having scored 11 goals during the current winning streak.

“Everybody’s involved, everybody’s working together, working hard,” Dufrachie said. “I think we can do something really good this year in conference.”

If the River Hawks’ recent form is any indication, his journey — and UMass Lowell’s season — may just be getting started. 

The team will look to extend its winning streak to five in its next matchup when it hosts the Great Danes of UAlbany on Saturday. Students and members of the UML community can watch Dufrachie and the River Hawks play at Cushing Field Complex throughout the season. 

Channing Tatum burner account?

September 29, 2026 by with comment off

(Photo courtesy of Instagram) Instagram page of @Bidness_nonya.

Jennifer Thim

Connector Staff

This past week, actor Channing Tatum of 21 Jump Street and Deadpool & Wolverine quickly became the internet’s topic of the week for allegedly commenting on pop culture gossip posts through a burner account on Instagram. The comments, involving Tatum and his ex-fiancé, actress Zöe Kravitz of High Fidelity and The Batman, caused many to point fingers at Tatum of being behind a burner account.

The account in question goes by the Instagram handle @bidness_nonya, whose comments on DeuxMoi’s Instagram posts caught people’s attention.

On one post of Kravitz with her recent partner, singer Harry Styles, the commenter wrote, “Just here for the hate.” On another post, they claimed that “Now [Kravitz] is constantly spotted with [Styles] compared to [Tatum] who we heard about long before [Kravitz and Styles] were seen together,” implying Kravitz’s public appearances with Styles were calculated. In another comment section, defending Tatum’s current relationship with model Inka Williams, they claim, “[Kravitz] tried to grift [Tatum’s] money,” and that “she was too much of a free bird to settle down.”

This @bidness_nonya character was clearly a fan of involving themselves in celebrity drama. However, others started to theorize that this character was perhaps a celebrity too.

If one were to follow Tatum on Instagram, they would have information on which accounts he follows, just by clicking on a profile he happens to follow. Followers found that on @bidness_nonya’s profile, below they would find, “Followed by @channingtatum.” They could also find that Tatum is the one singular follow of that account. With their only affiliation being the ex-partner of Kravitz, many have thought that explained the cynical nature of the comments.

Many thought it was suspicious that @bidness_nonya threw shade on almost every mainstream person in pop culture, but not Channing Tatum. Besides Kravitz, the account was found shading people like Jennifer Lawrence, singers Taylor Swift, Jennifer Lopez, and actress Cynthia Erivo. On posts featuring the 21 Jump Street star, however, the burner account wrote very flattering compliments, calling Tatum genuine and “funny as hell, too.”

They did not have a soft spot for just Tatum. On another comment section, they were spotted commending actress Ayo Edebiri of The Bear and Bottoms for her role as Envy in Inside Out 2, saying, “Love her! And [Edebiri is] just getting started.” Either Tatum is a huge fan of Edebiri (And I would not blame him!) or this is not Tatum’s fake account that he uses to prop himself up.

While @bidness_nonya tried their hardest to stay on the down low, they did not hesitate to speak out about their astrological sign. On a post about Geminis, the account commented claiming to be a “June twin,” contrasting the actor, whose birthday is in April. Whether this was evidence that a Gemini is behind the account or an intentional throwaway, that’s up to interpretation.

But some digging on the account suggests they were a former fan page for Tatum, and that he happened to follow back. This would not be shocking, as in the early social media days, it was a common tactic for celebrities to follow fan pages for engagement. The current state of the account would suggest that they went private, removed everyone, except the one star they could not let go of.

As of now, the account can no longer be found on Instagram’s platform. On Sept. 21, 2026, at approximately 7 p.m., Tatum posted an Instagram story speaking out against the accusations, saying the account he posted on was his only account.

In just a few days, the situation, referred to as “Nonya-bidness-gate,” was supposedly solved, yet the identity of @bidnessnonya remains a mystery. Some suspicions of Tatum being behind the account still hung in the air. After all, people were quite entertained by the idea of a famous person being messy on the internet. In the end, the accusers were no different than @bidness_nonya, becoming so self-involved into believing Tatum surely had to be behind the account. @Bidness_nonya’s anonymity is almost like the V for Vendetta of pop culture, in a way. In the words of Evey Hammond, “He was you. And me.”

UMass Lowell students waiting in line to order drinks and snacks at Caribou Coffee

Caribou Coffee: How students feel about it

September 29, 2026 by with comment off

(Photo courtesy of Kaitlyn Renda) UMass Lowell students wait in line to order drinks and snacks at Caribou Coffee on campus.

Kaitlyn Renda
Connector Contributor

After a late night of cramming, studying, or binging the latest popular Netflix series, there is only one thing that can help you make it through the next day: caffeine. Whether you get your fix from coffee, tea, or energy drinks, drinking a caffeinated beverage can make or break your long day of classes. Luckily for UMass Lowell students, a brand-new coffee shop has made its debut on South Campus.

Caribou Coffee, located on the first floor of the O’Leary Library, is UMass Lowell’s newest addition to campus. Caribou carries the standard coffee shop favorites such as hot and iced coffees, teas, refreshers, lattes and other snacks and sweets. They also introduced their seasonal fall menu, which includes various pumpkin and apple-flavored drinks and treats.

It also provides quick, convenient service, as the coffee shop is located right in the library. Students can stop by quickly and grab their favorite drinks before class, without having to leave their house or dorm earlier or going off campus. Students can also use their Riverhawk Dollars here, so the line goes notably faster than a shop where everyone has different payment methods. Here, all you have to do is order, tap your Student ID, and wait for them to call your name.

While Caribou’s wide menu selection and convenient location seem to be perfect for the average college student, it has also created some tension amongst the South Campus community. Before the introduction of Caribou Coffee, Starbucks had served as South Campus’s coffee shop. While both Starbucks and Caribou have similar menus and prices, many students miss the ability to get Starbucks on South Campus.
Many students argue that Starbucks’ handcrafted drinks are significantly better quality than Caribou Coffee’s.

They also enjoy the familiarity of being able to get their regular order and having it taste the same. Since Starbucks’ locations are more widespread than Caribou Coffee, students are already familiar with what they do or don’t like. With a new shop, it might take multiple tries until students figure out what their “normal” order is.

While there are still two Starbucks on campus, located at the Meehan Student Center and Lyndon Library, students who live and attend classes on South Campus must travel far just to get their morning coffee. Elsa Freeman, a sophomore psychology major, agreed with this statement. She prefers Starbucks but only has Caribou as a convenient option on South Campus. Freeman is not the only one who feels this way. Many students share her preference for Starbucks.

Some students, however, support the switch. It introduces a wide array of new options that they might prefer over their normal order at Star- bucks. When UMass Lowell junior, Ms. Lily Sophon was asked whether she would bring Starbucks back to South Campus, she said she prefers Starbucks but would rather keep Caribou Coffee on campus. “Caribou is still learning,” Sophon stated. She is giving Caribou grace as their employees are all recently hired; she plans to form her final opinion after the employees have had more time to adjust.

Whether people enjoying Caribou Coffee or missing Starbucks, students all have their own opinion on what coffee shop belongs in the O’Leary Library. No matter your opinion, we can all agree on one thing. As UMass Lowell senior Ms. Haleigh Harris stated, “I’m just happy to have coffee back on South.”

Flock ALPR cameras temporarily disabled in Lowell

September 29, 2026 by with comment off

(Photo courtesy of Makayla Mahoney) Flock Safety automated license plate reader on Pawtucket St. in Lowell, MA, on Friday, Sept. 25, 2026.

Makayla Mahoney

Connector Editor

Security, privacy, protection, and surveillance: Flock cameras have been the cause for debate among several communities across the United States as cameras begin to pop up around towns and cities. Lowell is one of these cities now facing the ongoing discourse surrounding the installation of these cameras and whether the benefits of supporting law enforcement in deterring crime or the costs of violating people’s right to privacy outweigh the other.

Lowell’s city council made a motion on this issue on Tuesday, Sept. 22, led by Councilors Scott and Nuon who sought suspension of the use of Flock equipment while the city evaluates its continued use. This motion passed 6-5, with councilors planning to reconvene in two weeks after further investigation.

Flock cameras, or automated license plate readers (ALPRs), focus on and identify vehicles, logging their license plate, make, model, color, and other characteristics, as described on the Flock Safety website. This information is stored in a database that can be shared with other police departments in order to “respond to emergencies and investigate safety incidents,” as the website further details. The Lowell Police Department, for example, shares their ALPR data with New England municipalities, as well as the state of New York.

There are currently 36 Flock automated license plate readers in Lowell, seven of which are within or surrounding UMass Lowell according to Deflock the USA. As of Tuesday, Sept. 22, the use of these cameras has been suspended while the city investigates the audit process and standing policy to protect against abuse.

Several residents of Lowell spoke at Tuesday’s city council meeting, either in support of or in opposition to the use of Flock cameras in the city. Among the concerns shared were the incidents of Flock misuse in other Massachusetts towns, such as Stow, New Bedford, and Lynn, where police officers were accused of using the database for personal searches. The city of Boston has also ended its contract with Flock due to the company’s sharing of vehicle data outside of the Boston police department, despite an agreement that secured the data within the city.

These concerns were additionally shared by members of Lowell’s city council, who acknowledged these cases of misuse and the need for greater oversight of this technology. Councilor Vesna Nuon, a co-creator of the motion to suspend Flock camera use for the meantime, questioned “how do we balance public safety with community expectations for privacy and accountability?” Among the council was a shared caution of the new technology and an understanding of the Lowell police department’s preferred use of these ALPRs, claiming cost and time efficiency in investigating crimes within the city.

As these cameras face suspension for the next two weeks, Flock Safety’s integrity and responsibility in protecting the data is one factor to be investigated. Mayor Gitschier warned during Tuesday’s meeting, “It’s been documented that this company gives you a lowball price so that they can share your information”. This sentiment was shared by Councilor McDonough who stated, “the thing you’re using is not the product, your data is the product”.

Political Science Professor and Director of Survey Research at UMass Lowell’s Center for Public Opinion, John Cluverius, shared his insight on the issue from the perspective of public opinion. He stated, “I think you’ll see more and more citizens calling for suspension, repeal, and removal of these products because the feelings of everyday citizens about artificial intelligence technology are decreasing and that has to do with data centers and that has to do with cameras”.

In a poll taken by the Center for Public Opinion on Thursday, Sept. 24, residents of Maine were asked about their support for Flock cameras, with 58% of respondents supporting a ban on ALPRs in their community and 42% opposing a ban.

Professor Cluverius further noted, “The level of distrust that people have in government overall, in law enforcement somewhat, and in artificial intelligence technology a lot, create an environment that’s really unfriendly for automated license plate reader technology.”

As you drive through Lowell within the following weeks, you may spot these tall black polls, topped with a panel and camera pointed toward major streets such as Pawtucket St., Middlesex St., and Merrimack St. For the time being, these ALPR cameras are off as the city decides whether Flock will support public safety in Lowell or undermine resident’s right to privacy.