Flock Cameras Can Surveil Cars Without License Plates

This is from a 2024 company presentation:

Officers can also tap into data showing a car’s decals, bumper stickers, back and top racks—along with temporary and unique state tags.

Flock calls it a “Vehicle Fingerprint” and it’s touted as a way for law enforcement officials to get more information “even when you don’t have full plate information,” the company’s presentation shows.

The company gives police officers the ability to search that data as well, to “build stronger cases with less information upfront.” That includes being able to locate multiple vehicles law enforcement officials believe are moving together and what Flock calls a “multi geo search.”

This kind of thing is older than AI; I wrote about it in my 2014 book Beyond Fear. Edward Snowden revealed that the NSA was using cell phone location data to track phones that were habitually near each other.

As bad as Flock is, remember that anyone with broad access to cell phone location data can do the same thing.

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Posted on July 3, 2026 at 7:15 AM • 8 Comments

Comments

Clive Robinson • July 3, 2026 9:18 AM

@ Bruce, ALL,

With regards,

“remember that anyone with broad access to cell phone location data can do the same thing.”

It’s not just “cell phone location data”

Use a laptop, netbook, or tablet etc only on WiFi, and you are still being tracked.

Then there are all those “wearables” to consider and in some cases implanted medical electronics.

Oh and in some cases payment card info, public transport cards and even RFID devices in your possessions.

All can be crosslinked in software that started becoming noticed at the turn of the century

I consulted for a company that linked up with AT&T Wireless to use SS7 and other cell network information to compile “traffic census” reports.

Whilst we tried to anonymize user mobile device and network numbers it was clear that others were not.

One thing that became clear was that you could do a couple of things,

1, pull out new numbers in an area.
2, pull out numbers breaking habit.

Both of which are valuable to not just investigators but prosecutors.

As it was shortly after 9/11 there was “pressure” to remove the anonymizing from the data…

Rontea • July 3, 2026 10:46 AM

Fascinating to see Flock pushing “Vehicle Fingerprints” with decals, racks, and temporary tags as identifiers. This is a classic case where the tech outpaces the public understanding of surveillance. Even without a license plate, the metadata is enough to track patterns and associations—think bumper stickers as beacons. Reminds me of the lessons from SIGINT: once you can correlate movement across time and space, you’re effectively mapping networks. Law enforcement will tout “multi-geo searches” as efficiency, but it’s really about persistent tracking without the traditional anchor points. Old tools, new polish.

DO or DIE • July 3, 2026 1:01 PM

In ideho, a man was wrongfully arrested, and wrongfully
convicted a Felon by ROGUE, CORRUPT GOVERNMENT employees,
in the @d@ C0unty Court.

When he sued them in the Federal Court, the State of idaho
then FIRED THE JUDGE (Sam Hoagland) WHO PRESIDED THAT CASE AS WELL AS
THE PUBLIC DEFENDER (Jonathan Loschi) who CONCEALED THE EVIDENCE OF AN
ATTEMPTED MURDER ON THE ACTUAL VICTIM WHOM THEY DESTROYED
BY MAKING HIM A FELON BECAUSE THE REAL PERP IS A FRIEND
WITH THE BOISE POLICE DEPARTMENT OFFICERS Matt Hudson and
the muslim Damir Subasic.

Of course, the Federal Suit didn’t go anywhere
because the MORMONS OF IDAHO ARE STICKING TOGETHER,
INCLUDING THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE JUDGES, THE PROSECUTORS,
AND THE WHOLE NINE YARDS!

They also TORTURED AND DISABLED THE MAN IN @d@ County Jail
but the SH3R1FF IS REFUSING TO SURRENDER THE VIDEO FOOTAGE
OF THE TORTURE UPON SEVERAL OFFICIAL REQUESTS AND SUBPOENAS.
Because idaho…..
Because mormonistan….
Because hate for immigrants… even if they are citizens..

According to idaho law – the Attorney General of idaho
has a responsibility, a legal obligation to
INVESTIGATE ALL ELECTED GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS
in idaho.

@d@ C0unty Sh3r1ff is one of those ELECTED ONES.

I was TORTURED AND DISABLED IN @d@ C0UNTY JA1L AND
THE $HER1FF KEEPS DENYING ME THE VIDEO SURVEILLANCE
FOOTAGE OF MY TORTURE, ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS.
s h o r t u r l . at / b 9 b R W

C’MON matty you can do it…can ya?

Matty WILL NOT DO IT, BECAUSE HE CAN GET AWAY WITH IT.

WHY?

ATTORNEY GENERAL OF idaho = MORMON.

SH3R1FF matty = MORMON.

GOVERNOR = MORMON.

ALMOST ALL OF THE FBI in idaho = MORMONS.

FEDERAL JUDGES = MORMONS.

AM I CALLING YOU OUT? ABSOLUTELY.

STOP GOING TO CHURCH FOR YOU ARE N O T THE “RIGHTEOUS
CHRISTIANS” YOU ALL CLAIM TO BE!!!

YOU ARE ALL F1LTH – HUMAN G@RB@G3!!!

GO GET SOME HELP YOU CORRUPT B@ST@RD$ – YOU HUMAN F1LTH.
WHEN YOU DO IT – I WILL BE RIGHT THERE WITH YOU!
YOU DO NEED HELP – FOR YOU DO NOT CARE ONE BIT THAT
YOU HAVE DESTROYED AN INNOCENT AND DECENT FAMILY.

I AM NOT INCITING ANYTHING. YOU ARE – WITH YOUR HATE!

YOU ARE INCITING INJUSTICE, D I S C R I M I N A T I O N,
HATE, INEQUALITY and are UPHOLDING LIES OF LYING
MUDDY “WITNESSES” WHO LIED UNDER OATH.

PR0SECUT0R brittany ford LIED UNDER OATH WHILE COVERING
THE LIES OF matt hudson, trent schneider, ed pieczonka,
chad wigington, bill bones, ryan lee, and the following
muslims in Law Enforcement of idaho:
damir subasic, dzevad mustafic, asmir kararic, adnan rudan,
and the CRIMINAL (then) @d@ County Public Defenders
jonathan loschi and kendra nagy.

YOU HATE IMMIGRANTS. DID YOU THINK THAT IMMIGRANTS CANNOT
HATE YOU AS WELL?

WHO IS DOING THIS? ALL WHITES. ALL WHITE HUMAN G@RB@G3!
THOSE WHO HATE IMMIGRANTS ARE MOSTLY WH1TE TR@$H.
LET’S SEE, THE WHITES ARE EUROPEAN IMMIGRANTS WHO
ALL CAME TO AMERICA AND SLAUGHTERED THE NATIVES,
RAPED THEIR WOMEN, TOOK THEIR LAND, MURDERED THEM
ALMOST ALL OF THEM EXCEPT THE FEW THEY ARE NOW CONTROLLING
IN CAGES CALLED RESERVATIONS. THAT’S WHITE MAN FOR YOU!

NOW, THOSE WHITES ARE CALLING ALL OTHERS “UNPURE.”
ALL OTHERS DO NOT BELONG.

HEY WHITEE – WHICH GENERATION IMMIGRANT ARE YA?
SECOND, THIRD, FORTH, FIFTH??????

THE ONLY NON-IMMIGRANTS IN THE USA ARE THE NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBES!

NO NO NO, NOT ONLY THAT – THE SAME WHITES ARE THE ONES WHO START
WARS ALL OVER THE PLACE, KILL ANYONE IN THE WAY.

TAKE ANYTHING THEY WANT – BY FORCE.

CONTROL EVERYONE AND EVERYTHING.

JUST WHO IS THE G@RB@GE WHO STALKED ME YESTERDAY IN THAT
RAM 2500 TRUCK WITH idaho plat3$ “D RING” anyone?

BECAUSE I ASKED THE POLICE BUT THEY ARE COVERING FOR THESE
GOONS WHO ARE STALKING ME AND THEY’LL NEVER TELL ME.

WHY ARE THERE “Rules of 3v1d3nc3” in idaho Legislation
IF THE 3v1d3nc3 WHICH THE “STATE” (brittany ford and jan bennetts)
HAVE PRESENTED TO JURORS IS F A K E – TAMPERED WITH – DELETED????

WHY HAVE THOSE “RULES” IF YA GONNA BREAK THEM WHEN IT FITS FOR YOU??????

I C U R S E YOU ALL – M0NKEEZ!

Here’s the TRUE 3v1d3nc3 – READ AND WEEP M07H3RFKKRZ
YA F1LTH!
s h o r t u r l . at / MDvFx

ANY GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEE BREAKING THE LAW IS A
L 3 3 C H – l33ching on taxpayers moneys.

ALL THESE ABOVE, IN THIS TEXT – ARE L33CHES!

When you are being LABELD as DELUSIONAL and “recommended” as such
to a shrink via an email sent to the shrink from a
Correctional Employee – and when you are asking the “shrink”
if he’d be okay with DISCLOSING TO YOU-THE CLIENT-EVERYTHING
THAT HE IS SHARING WITH THOSE WHO SENT YOU TO HIM, AND HE REFUSES,
THEN PLEASE, SOMEONE, ANYONE, TELL ME – WHAT IS WRONG WITH THAT PICTURE???

The very first time the court has sent me to a shrink,
a “dr” davidson in bozo ideho – they suggested that he
diagnose me as “DELUSIONAL” AS noted RIGHT HERE BELOW
IN GREAT DETAIL:
s h o r t u r l . at / MDvFx

WHEN ALL GAG ORDERS THAT MY GOVERNMENT HAS ISSUED ON ME
ARE DISCLOSED TO ME AND TO THE PUBLIC – WE SHALL THEN SEE
JUST WHO IS DELUSIONAL!!!!

YA CAN’T JUST ISSUE SECRET COURT ORDERS ON AN AMERICAN CITIZEN
BECAUSE YOU WANT TO DESTROY HIM FOR TAMPERING WITH or DDoS-ing YOUR
IP THEFT WEBSITE.

YOU – THE GOVERNMENT – MY GOVERNMENT ARE THE TERRORISTS!!!
TERRORIZING A DECENT AND INNOCENT AMERICAN FAMILY WHILE
BREAKING THE LAW YOURSELVES, INSTEAD OF UPHOLDING IT.
YOU HUMAN SCUM. YOU GARBAGE!

Just HOW AM I DELUSIONAL?

BECAUSE I WILL NEVER STOP – I AM NOT A FELON!
YOU HAVE MADE ME THAT BY FORCE, BY LYING TO THE JURY!

BRITTANY FORD IS A TERRORIST!
MATT HUDSON IS A TERRORIST!

YOU HAVE DESTROYED ME FOR LIFE YOU EFFING PRICKS!!!!

I WANT TO SEE THEM GAG ORDERS!

YOU HAVE LABELED ME AS A TERRORIST YOU SONS OF B1TCH3Z!!

WHY DON’T YOU GO AND LABEL melanya or elon or peter t.
or alex k. as terrorists????

AREN’T THEY ALL 1st GEN IMMIGRANTS LIKE ME????

IF I HAD A FEW MILLION BUCKS – I’D BUY MY CLEAN AND INNOCENT
NAME BACK FROM THE POTUS OR FROM SENATOR JIM RISCH BUT I AM
BROKE AND DISABLED BY MY GOVERNMENT SO I HAVE TO DO IT THIS WAY.
UNFORTUNATELY.

MY GOVERNMENT IS DELUSIONAL FOR THINKING THEY WILL GET AWAY
WITH THIS!!!!!
YOU CAN’T KILL THE TRUTH – IT’S RIGHT HERE:
s h o r t u r l . at / MDvFx

The judge who sentenced me got FIRED.
The public defender who “defended” me GOT FIRED.

HUSH HUSH ideho.

THE TERRORISTS IN MY GOVERNMENT HAVE FORCED A FELONY
CONVICTION ON ME BY HIDING THE TRUTH FROM JURY!

The TRUTH IS – I BARELY ESCAPED THE ATTEMPTED MURDER.
husein curkic HAS ATTEMPTED TO MURDER ME ON NOV. 26 2021!!!!

It’s all here:
s h o r t u r l . at / MDvFx

This here below is THE WORST PART OF MY LIFE:
I USED TO NOT HATE ANYONE – NOW I HATE YOU ALL.
My MOST PRECIOUS POSSESSION WAS THE ABILITY TO N O T
HATE ANYONE – YOU TOOK THAT AWAY FROM ME – FOREVER.
I CURS3 YOU AND YOUR CHILDREN, THEIR CHILDREN, AND
THEIR CHILDREN’S CHILDREN FOR TAKING MY DECENCY
AWAY FROM ME – BY FORCE.

THERE IS NOTHING WORSE FOR ANY HUMAN BEING THAN TO HATE
SOMEONE – ANYONE. YOU HAVE, WITH YOUR HATE TOWARDS ME,
FILLED ME WITH HATE, INFECTED ME, INFESTED ME WITH IT
COMPLETELY. I NOW HAVE NO LIFE FOR I JUST HATE.

I HATE YOU ALL PASSIONATELY – WITH ALL MY HEART.
GO 3FFFF YOURSELVES – ALL OF YOU.

Instead of INVESTIGATING THE GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS
in ideho – THE OFFICE OF ideho AG HAS TAKEN IT UPON
THEMSELVES TO MOLEST ME AND MY FAMILY WITH STINGRAYS,
STALKING ME, PREVENTING ME FROM GETTING ANY LEGAL
REPRESENTATION – THESE ARE TERRORISTS PAID BY WE DUH SH33P13!!!!

THERE IS A REASON ideho is ALWAYS THE 50th OUT OF 50 STATES!!!!!!!
IN JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING – TRUTH HURTS, DON’T IT?

Just IMAGINE THE HORROR OF THESE TERRORISTS IN OUR
GOVERNMENT DESTROYING YOU JUST LIKE THAT, BECAUSE THEY CAN.
A NIGHTMARE CALLED ideho!

CORRUPT GARBAGE! DELUSIONAL GARBAGE YOU ARE!

KC • July 3, 2026 6:21 PM

Just reading that there’s a big wave of Flock-inspired class action lawsuits being filed under California’s ALPR Privacy Act.

https://www.rainintelligence.com/blog/flock-alpr-class-action-california

Specific compliance failures against customers include: the lack of a stand-alone ALPR policy, missing audit records, unauthorized or undisclosed data sharing, and so on. Penalties could include $2,500 in damages for every plate captured.

Beyond this, there are emerging civil tort claims due to AI camera errors (eg, a “0” being mistaken “O”) leading to wrongful LE encounters, including gunpoint stops and wrongful arrests.

https://ij.org/dozens-of-innocent-motorists-have-been-pulled-over-detained-at-gunpoint-or-jailed-due-to-ai-license-plate-camera-errors/

And there have been constitutional challenges over warrantless surveillance.

50 cities and counties have cancelled Flock contracts or deactivated cameras since early last year. Still, it’s being reported that cameras are in more than 6,000 communities. It would be great to see Flock’s sensitivity to civil liberties and legal statutes evolve along with their technical capabilities.

cls • July 4, 2026 5:37 AM

@KC, thanks for posting the two links. Glad to learn that people are tracking all the stories about failures of Flock and other cameras.

Often it comes down to human error with LEOs not doing their jobs to verify the reports and use discretion about the citizens they detain.

… I am glad lawyers are getting involved to help chase the $2500 per incident fines. But I have mixed feelings, because these are class action firms and they smell easy pickings.

Here’s another recent story: Alameda county (California) doubled down on the usual dubious BS to justify extending their $2.4 million contract with Flock for another year.

https://www.mercurynews.com/2026/07/01/alameda-county-extends-flock-safety-contract-amid-worries-over-surveillance-network/

Archived copy with no extra links

https://archive.is/20260702173947/https://www.mercurynews.com/2026/07/01/alameda-county-extends-flock-safety-contract-amid-worries-over-surveillance-network/

r • July 4, 2026 10:22 AM

china was doing this with identiably worn paint and rust spots 10? years ago.

east germany, you have the freedom to associate with heavens gate but lord help you when the drone strikes.

dead or locked up == disenfranchised.

it’s not a matter of opinion.

i just read something two? weeks ago where the legal opinion was as loose as “potentially dangerous”.

that applies to everyone considering the 11yo who just ran down some monks.

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Sidebar photo of Bruce Schneier by Joe MacInnis.