Flock camera tracking: How to check if your licence plate was captured

As Flock cameras and other automated license plate readers (ALPRs) continue to spread across the US, residents concerned about growing surveillance are turning to community-run websites to track where the cameras are installed and how the data they collect is being used.

Open-source platforms such as DeFlock and Eyes On Flock allow users to monitor the presence and use of automated license plate readers across the country. Another website, Have I Been Flocked?, lets people enter their license plate numbers to check whether their vehicles have been captured by any ALPRs.

What are Flock cameras and why are they controversial?

Flock cameras are automated license plate readers manufactured by Flock Safety. Similar systems are also produced by companies including Motorola Solutions and Genetec.


These cameras can capture a vehicle’s license plate number, make, model, colour and other identifying details, including bumper stickers and visible damage. They are increasingly being installed by law enforcement agencies, municipalities and private property owners, who argue that the technology can help deter crime and identify suspects.

Flock Safety gives law enforcement agencies access to a searchable nationwide database. The company and its supporters say the technology has helped authorities locate missing people, recover stolen vehicles and identify suspects in high-profile cases.

Privacy advocates, however, argue that widespread use of the technology creates a significant surveillance network. Some critics have questioned whether the practice could violate Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable government searches and seizures.

Opposition has also led to incidents of vandalism. ALPR cameras have reportedly been shot at in Tennessee, rammed by a truck in California, damaged with a baseball bat in Virginia, cut down with a saw in Texas and covered in paint in New York. A protester in Florida has also repeatedly blocked cameras.

Flock Safety did not immediately respond to USA TODAY's request for comment on the community-led websites. The company has previously condemned vandalism of its equipment.

"People have every right to make their voices heard, but criminal acts should never be part of that process," spokesperson Paris Lewbel said. "Damaging public safety equipment ultimately hurts the very communities this technology is there to help protect."

How many Flock cameras are there in the US?

Flock Safety said it was operating more than 120,000 cameras across 49 states as of June 25. DeFlock reported more than 127,000 automated license plate readers across the US as of August 10, including cameras made by companies other than Flock Safety.

How to check for Flock cameras in your area

DeFlock, a volunteer-led organisation, operates an interactive map showing locations of automated license plate readers across the US. The organisation also has several city-specific websites run by local groups.

Users can contribute to the database by reporting newly discovered ALPR cameras.

FlockHopper helps users avoid camera-heavy routes

Another website, FlockHopper, uses DeFlock's data to help people plan road trips while avoiding as many automated license plate readers as possible.

The platform works similarly to a navigation service. Users enter their starting point and destination, after which it shows how many ALPRs they could encounter along different routes and offers an alternative route designed to minimise the number of cameras. Such routes may take longer than the most direct option.

How to find out if your vehicle has been captured

Have I Been Flocked? allows users to enter a license plate number and check whether it has been recorded by an automated license plate reader.

The website says its data comes from Flock Transparency Portals and public records requests submitted by volunteers. Members of the public can also submit their own public records requests and contribute the information to the platform.

What are Flock Transparency Portals?

Some organisations that use Flock cameras operate public Flock Transparency Portals. These portals provide information about how the surveillance technology is being used.

Depending on the organisation, residents can see the number of cameras it manages, the number of vehicles detected over a 30-day period, which other networks or agencies the data is shared with and how the cameras are being used.

However, organisations that use Flock cameras are not required to operate a transparency portal.