California drivers: How to check if ALPRs are tracking your license plate
California drivers can now use a new online tool to see if their license plates have been scanned by ALPRs and searched by law enforcement agencies.
Drivers in California can now determine if their license plates have been scanned by automatic license plate readers (ALPRs) and subsequently searched by various agencies. A new online tool, "Have I Been Flocked?", aggregates data from public records requests to show when and why a license plate was queried, as The Sacramento Bee reported.
California has one of the highest concentrations of ALPRs nationwide. These cameras, including those made by Flock Safety, record vehicle information and store it in databases. Users, which can include government agencies and private companies, can then search these databases.
What are automatic license plate readers (ALPRs) and who uses them?
ALPRs are cameras that capture license plate numbers and vehicle characteristics. These systems log vehicle sightings at specific times and locations. Flock Safety, a prominent manufacturer, states its cameras help "authorized users" find information relevant to incidents. More than 100,000 Flock cameras have been deployed across the country since 2017.
Agencies and entities utilizing Flock cameras include:
- Law enforcement and fire departments
- Schools
- Residential communities
- Businesses
- Parks and recreation departments
Data captured by these cameras is typically deleted after one week, unless a legal requirement or authorized investigation necessitates longer retention. Flock Safety specifies that it does not contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement or Palantir. These systems are not inexpensive; they can cost between $2,500 and $35,000 annually per product, plus installation fees over $250.
How can drivers check for ALPR searches of their vehicles?
The "Have I Been Flocked?" website allows drivers to enter their license plate number to check if it has been searched. The site compiles audit logs of searches within the Flock system through Public Records Act requests, updating its database regularly.
This tool reveals if a vehicle has been tracked by any agency whose records are available through these requests. Beyond individual license plate searches, the website offers broader search capabilities by:
- Agency
- Date
- Reason for log
- Case number
- State
Understanding search categories
The website categorizes reports by keywords related to different types of searches. For instance, "First Amendment reports" include searches related to activities like protests or religious gatherings. "Profiling Reports" contain terms related to race, ethnicity, or gangs, while "Low-Level Offense Reports" cover non-serious crimes or infractions.
"Non-Criminal Reports" encompass civil code enforcement, municipal ordinance violations, traffic studies, and city planning data. Testing and training reports are also included. California's privacy laws are stricter regarding this data. However, "Have I Been Flocked?" notes that out-of-state agencies can query California ALPR databases through Flock's network, potentially bypassing state protections. This led to the creation of the "California Out-of-State Queries" report section.
Other categories include "Develop Probable Cause" and "Immigration reports." Understanding where ALPRs are deployed can help drivers navigate their daily routes with awareness. You can find more information about ALPR locations on our live camera map.
This new tool provides a direct way for drivers to understand how their vehicle data is being accessed. Drivers interested in learning more about ALPR technology and its implications can visit our /learn section.