Proton Flock Camera Map

A map now shows where Flock's surveillance cameras are, letting you see them near you.

Proton has launched a public map that visualizes the locations of Flock Safety's automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras across the United States. The map, available on Proton's website, allows users to search for cameras by ZIP code or view them by county. It uses data compiled by cybersecurity researcher Joshua Michael, who discovered an exposed access token on Flock's servers in November 2025. Michael's research indicates over 170,000 Flock cameras are in operation, approximately 40% more than Flock's publicly cited figure. Flock cameras photograph every vehicle, logging the plate, time, and location, and their data is searchable by police departments. The article highlights concerns about potential misuse of this data, citing a Washington Post review that found numerous instances of officers misusing ALPR data, with Flock's system involved in a significant number of those cases.

The proliferation of Flock's ALPR cameras, now detailed by Proton's map, raises significant privacy concerns for the public. With over 170,000 cameras potentially deployed, the ability for law enforcement to access and search this vast dataset on vehicles and their movements presents a considerable surveillance infrastructure. The data's reach, processed across 49 states, means nearly any driver could have their movements logged and potentially scrutinized, even without suspicion of wrongdoing. This transparency tool empowers individuals to understand the extent of this surveillance in their daily lives and potentially advocate for policy changes regarding its use and oversight.

This initiative by Proton underscores a growing trend of privacy-focused companies weaponizing transparency against widespread surveillance technologies. By visualizing Flock's camera network, Proton highlights the scale of data collection and its implications for personal privacy and potential misuse, as evidenced by past incidents. The map serves as a critical awareness tool, potentially spurring public discourse and regulatory scrutiny on ALPR technology. As more such technologies become embedded in public spaces, expect similar efforts to map and reveal their presence, challenging the unchecked expansion of automated surveillance.