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Growing concerns about surveillance technology have prompted the creation of a new tool for transparency. A website called Have I Been Flocked? allows drivers to search whether their license plate has been queried through Flock Safety’s camera network. As of mid-August, the database contained nearly 242 million search records involving over 4.6 million individual plates. The tool draws from publicly available audit logs released by government agencies and obtained through public records requests.
The need for such transparency stems from documented misuse of license plate readers. A Washington Post investigation revealed that at least 50 law enforcement officers faced charges or accusations related to improper use of the technology, including stalking. Additionally, public records showed more than 4,000 searches conducted by local and state police at the behest of federal immigration authorities. While Flock maintains that Immigration and Customs Enforcement cannot directly access its system, the records demonstrate how local agencies can perform searches on behalf of federal officials.
Users can check their plate by visiting the website and entering their license plate number. Results may display when searches occurred, which agency conducted them, and stated reasons for the queries. However, finding a match does not confirm that a vehicle was stopped or that the driver was formally investigated. Additionally, the database remains incomplete, as many government agencies do not publicly release their full audit logs, meaning a negative result does not guarantee the plate has never been searched.
The initiative reflects broader public resistance to Flock’s expanding surveillance network, with communities canceling contracts and activists mapping camera locations. Those concerned about searches appearing in the system are encouraged to file public records requests with relevant agencies or consult legal counsel.
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Originally reported by Mashable →
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