Can You See Where Flock Cameras Are Installed? What Consumers Should Know About Privacy
Recent reports surrounding Flock Safety have reignited concerns over how automatic license plate reader (ALPR) systems collect, store, and share data. While these technologies have helped law enforcement recover stolen vehicles and solve crimes, questions about privacy, oversight, and potential misuse have become increasingly difficult to ignore.
Consumers are now asking: Where are these cameras located? Are other surveillance companies collecting similar data? And is there anything I can do to protect my privacy?
Can I see where Flock cameras are installed?
Not comprehensively.
Flock does not maintain a public nationwide map of camera locations.
However, you may be able to identify some locations through:
- City council agendas and contract documents.
- Public records requests.
- Local government transparency portals.
- Community-created maps in areas where residents have documented installations (these are unofficial and may be incomplete).
Some municipalities intentionally avoid publishing exact locations because they believe doing so could reduce the cameras’ effectiveness.
Is Flock the only company raising privacy concerns because of abuse or unethical data sharing?
No. Flock is simply the most visible today because of its scale and recent news coverage.
Other technologies and companies that have raised similar concerns include:
- Motorola Solutions (Vigilant Solutions): Another major ALPR provider used by law enforcement that are currently under a class action lawsuit over privacy concerns.
- Axon: Though often hailed as a champion for civilian transparency and law enforcement accountability, body cameras, in-car cameras, and real-time evidence platforms raise questions about data retention and access.
- Ring (Amazon): Previously partnered with police departments without user consent, prompting concerns about neighborhood surveillance and information sharing. They have also were accused of providing unrestricted access to their camera footage to foreign nationals
- Fusus: A platform that aggregates feeds from public and private cameras, allowing law enforcement to access multiple video sources through one interface.
- ShotSpotter (SoundThinking): Acoustic gunshot detection has been criticized over false alerts and deployment practices.
- Cell-site simulators (“Stingrays”): Devices that mimic cell towers to locate phones, long criticized for privacy implications.
Anything I can do about it?
1. Learn Where Cameras Are Used
While there’s no comprehensive public map, you can:
- Attend city council meetings where new camera systems are approved.
- Review city agendas and contracts.
- Submit public records requests to your local government.
- Ask local officials whether your community participates in an ALPR program and what policies govern its use.
2. Understand Local Policies
Find out:
- How long license plate data is retained.
- Who has access to it.
- Whether agencies outside your city or state can search it.
- Whether officers must document a legitimate law enforcement purpose before conducting a search.
Many agencies publish these policies online.
3. Advocate for Stronger Safeguards
If your city uses ALPRs, you can encourage local officials to adopt policies such as:
- Shorter data retention periods.
- Mandatory audit logs.
- Requiring a case number before searches.
- Annual public transparency reports.
- Independent oversight of system use.
4. Contact Your Representatives
State and local lawmakers determine many of the rules governing surveillance technology. If privacy is important to you, you can advocate for legislation that limits data retention, strengthens oversight, or increases transparency.
5. Support Privacy Organizations
Groups like the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) and the ACLU actively advocate for stronger privacy protections and often provide resources for engaging with local policymakers.
6. Know the Limits
Unlike your phone or social media accounts, you generally can’t “opt out” of being captured by an ALPR camera while driving on public roads. The practical ways to reduce your exposure—such as obscuring your license plate—are typically illegal.
What has the biggest impact?
The most effective changes usually come from policy, not technology. Communities that require strong auditing, limited data retention, and public oversight generally do a better job balancing the benefits of crime-solving technology with individual privacy.
If this is a topic you’re passionate about, getting involved at the local level—where these systems are often approved and governed—is usually the most direct way to influence how they’re used.
From a Deep Sentinel Perspective
At Deep Sentinel, we believe there’s an important distinction between protecting your property and tracking activity in public spaces.
Deep Sentinel’s cameras are customer-owned security cameras installed to protect private homes and businesses for the benefit of the property owner. Unlike public surveillance networks that collect and store information about vehicles traveling on public roads, Deep Sentinel exists to safeguard the people and property that our customers choose to protect. We work closely with law enforcement as agents for our customers’ best interests.
Our approach to privacy has always been guided by one simple principle:
“We consider your data—especially your video streams—your very private information. “
That isn’t just a statement—it’s the foundation of how we design our products, handle customer data, and build trust. We believe security should provide peace of mind without sacrificing privacy, and we’re committed to ensuring our customers remain in control of their own information.
