New Tool Reveals if Your License Plate Was Searched by Flock Cameras

Key points

• HaveIBeenFlocked is a non-profit website that displays license plate searches from Flock audit logs obtained through public records requests.
• The site does not show if a vehicle passed a camera, only if its plate was actively searched by law enforcement agencies.
• Flock Safety CEO Garrett Langley announced new guardrails, including an audit tool to flag abnormal search behavior, to be implemented by January 1, 2026.
• In Minnesota, multiple cities and counties have reported vandalism or theft of Flock cameras, with Winona police confirming eight cameras were cut down and will not be replaced.
• Critics, including the ACLU, argue Flock is responsible for building the infrastructure that enables potential misuse of location data, despite recent policy changes.

Background

This story follows earlier concerns about Flock Safety’s data-sharing practices, including partnerships with federal immigration enforcement. In 2026, several municipalities, such as Syracuse and New Bedford, have paused or replaced Flock cameras due to accountability issues and alleged misuse by officers. The controversy has intensified as public scrutiny over automated surveillance grows, with some jurisdictions opting for alternative systems like Axon cameras.

How outlets are covering it

KSTP emphasizes the local impact in Minnesota, highlighting vandalism and theft of Flock cameras in Winona, Plymouth, Edina, and Anoka County. Hawaii News Now focuses on the national controversy, citing a North Carolina officer fired for using Flock to track her boyfriend’s ex-wife over 30 times, and notes the ACLU’s criticism of Flock’s role in enabling data misuse. WSTM highlights the website’s non-profit status and its additional features, such as mapping county partnerships with ICE. Flock Safety’s official statement frames the changes as necessary safeguards to enhance transparency and accountability, though critics remain skeptical of the company’s broader data-sharing practices.

Why it matters

The rise of automated license plate readers raises significant privacy concerns, as they can track individuals’ movements without explicit consent. The availability of tools like HaveIBeenFlocked empowers citizens to monitor surveillance activities, but it also highlights the lack of transparency in how law enforcement uses such data. As Flock Safety implements new safeguards, the debate over balancing public safety with individual privacy continues to intensify, with potential implications for future legislation and corporate accountability.

What to watch

Flock Safety plans to implement its new audit tool by January 1, 2026, which will flag abnormal search behavior. Law enforcement agencies using Flock cameras will need to comply with these new guardrails. Meanwhile, public scrutiny and potential legal challenges may continue as more municipalities evaluate their use of Flock technology. The ACLU and other privacy advocates are likely to monitor the effectiveness of these changes and may push for stricter regulations on automated surveillance systems.