How to See If Your Car Has Been Scanned by Flock Cameras

There's a good chance you've heard of flock cameras, but do you know what they do?

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I've heard about them on the news, and seen stories on social media but still didn't know who put them up and what they were being used for.

What Is A Flock Camera?

Flock cameras are Automated License Plate Readers made by the company Flock Safety.

Instead of recording continuous live video footage like standard traffic and security cameras do, Flock cameras capture high-speed still photos of vehicles that pass by and then log that information.

Who Has Access To Flock Cameras?

The main purpose of Flock cameras is to serve as a tool for crime prevention and criminal investigation.

By cross-referencing vehicle data against national and local law enforcement databases in real time, the system quickly alerts police when a stolen vehicle, a wanted suspect, or a car linked to an active Amber or Silver Alert passes a camera.

Because the software is able to capture specific vehicle details like bumper stickers or roof racks, investigators can search historical data to identify suspect vehicles tied to recent crimes even when a witness only catches a partial plate or general description.

Why People Are Concerned About Flock Cameras

The main reason people are against Flock cameras is because it feels like the government is constantly spying on drivers.

Since the cameras take pictures of every passing car, people worry that the police can track where you go, such as your doctor’s office, church, or friend’s house, without a judge's warrant.

Some of the other big concerns include:

Your location data being shared with out-of-state police or federal agencies.
Computer mistakes causing innocent drivers to get pulled over by mistake.
The system being used to stalk people or track minor things instead of stopping serious crimes.

Several of those concerns have already happened.

How To See If Your Car Has Been Flocked

If you're curious like myself, you can check and see if your vehicle has been scanned by visiting the website HaveIBeenFlocked.com

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Gallery Credit: Wendy Reed