# Overview: Hacker News debated ALPR's rise, balancing public safety vs. privacy. Discussions covered ubiquitous surveillance, potential countermeasures, and the need for public awareness and regulation of these systems. #ALPR 1/5
December 17, 2025 at 5:00 AM
# Overview: Hacker News debated ALPR's rise, balancing public safety vs. privacy. Discussions covered ubiquitous surveillance, potential countermeasures, and the need for public awareness and regulation of these systems. #ALPR 1/5
City Council backs SDPD surveillance policies despite opposition
The San Diego City Council approved 54 surveillance policies, including automated license plate readers (ALPR) and smart streetlights, despite public opposition. Advocates highlight ALPR’s…
The San Diego City Council approved 54 surveillance policies, including automated license plate readers (ALPR) and smart streetlights, despite public opposition. Advocates highlight ALPR’s…
City Council backs SDPD surveillance policies despite opposition
The San Diego City Council voted to approve the continued use of 54 surveillance use policies by the San Diego Police Department.
timesofsandiego.com
December 10, 2025 at 2:07 PM
City Council backs SDPD surveillance policies despite opposition
The San Diego City Council approved 54 surveillance policies, including automated license plate readers (ALPR) and smart streetlights, despite public opposition. Advocates highlight ALPR’s…
The San Diego City Council approved 54 surveillance policies, including automated license plate readers (ALPR) and smart streetlights, despite public opposition. Advocates highlight ALPR’s…
Flock does not reduce crime, despite the dramatic one-off-story. Flock has failed to provide independent studies that verifies their research on ALPR’s effectiveness. Yet Flock scans everybody. Expected glitches can lead to dangerous false detentions www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlHL...
Flock camera error leads police to detain wrong man
A Redmond father was handcuffed in his driveway after a Flock license plate camera linked his car to his son’s felony warrant. He says the system flawed.
www.youtube.com
December 2, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Flock does not reduce crime, despite the dramatic one-off-story. Flock has failed to provide independent studies that verifies their research on ALPR’s effectiveness. Yet Flock scans everybody. Expected glitches can lead to dangerous false detentions www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlHL...
Between the ALPR’s and widespread doorbell cameras, there is way too much surveillance capability that can be used and abused for national security purposes.
November 30, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Between the ALPR’s and widespread doorbell cameras, there is way too much surveillance capability that can be used and abused for national security purposes.
“COPS WONT MISUSE ALPR’s THERES NO RISK OF STALKING BECAUSE ONLY COPS HAVE ACCESS”
Flock and other automated license plate readers are a dangerous invasion of privacy
www.wsbtv.com/news/local/b...
Flock and other automated license plate readers are a dangerous invasion of privacy
www.wsbtv.com/news/local/b...
November 20, 2025 at 9:04 PM
“COPS WONT MISUSE ALPR’s THERES NO RISK OF STALKING BECAUSE ONLY COPS HAVE ACCESS”
Flock and other automated license plate readers are a dangerous invasion of privacy
www.wsbtv.com/news/local/b...
Flock and other automated license plate readers are a dangerous invasion of privacy
www.wsbtv.com/news/local/b...
#TIL: #ALPR's are everywhere: #AI-powered cameras logging your car’s location, time, make, color & even bumper stickers. All searchable. deflock.me
October 6, 2025 at 2:57 PM
#TIL: #ALPR's are everywhere: #AI-powered cameras logging your car’s location, time, make, color & even bumper stickers. All searchable. deflock.me
Today we served the #UniversityOfArizona a cease & desist letter as they are in violation of the Clery Act. The University never disclosed the surveillance of students, faculty & staff through the usage of 50+ Flock Safety ALPR's.
The Clery Act mandates transparency, something the University lacks.
The Clery Act mandates transparency, something the University lacks.
September 3, 2025 at 11:04 PM
Today we served the #UniversityOfArizona a cease & desist letter as they are in violation of the Clery Act. The University never disclosed the surveillance of students, faculty & staff through the usage of 50+ Flock Safety ALPR's.
The Clery Act mandates transparency, something the University lacks.
The Clery Act mandates transparency, something the University lacks.
As if there’s not enough cameras, cop chat group considers lying about having even more upon learning of the existence of the deflockme website #FOIAFriday
August 15, 2025 at 4:05 PM
As if there’s not enough cameras, cop chat group considers lying about having even more upon learning of the existence of the deflockme website #FOIAFriday
The #UniversityOfArizona has a contract with Flock Security to create a network of more than 50 #ALPR's on & around the University campus, now a part of a network of 77,771 ALPR's nationwide. Review these slides to learn more about their impacts to civil rights and to Tucson residents.
#BigBrother
#BigBrother
August 11, 2025 at 6:09 PM
The #UniversityOfArizona has a contract with Flock Security to create a network of more than 50 #ALPR's on & around the University campus, now a part of a network of 77,771 ALPR's nationwide. Review these slides to learn more about their impacts to civil rights and to Tucson residents.
#BigBrother
#BigBrother
False reports of gunshots during Jersey City's fireworks led to a stampede that injured multiple people. City officials aren't responding to requests for comment.
Jersey City uses Shotspotter. ALPR's have a habit of claiming fireworks are gunshots www.nj.com/hudson/2025/...
Jersey City uses Shotspotter. ALPR's have a habit of claiming fireworks are gunshots www.nj.com/hudson/2025/...
‘It was mayhem.’ Panic set off stampede at N.J. fireworks show.
The incident left spectators rattled and confused.
www.nj.com
July 8, 2025 at 7:40 PM
False reports of gunshots during Jersey City's fireworks led to a stampede that injured multiple people. City officials aren't responding to requests for comment.
Jersey City uses Shotspotter. ALPR's have a habit of claiming fireworks are gunshots www.nj.com/hudson/2025/...
Jersey City uses Shotspotter. ALPR's have a habit of claiming fireworks are gunshots www.nj.com/hudson/2025/...
deflock.me has an interactive map that shows ALPR locations in your town and who operates them. I have noticed that the number of ALPR's has exploded and it's nearly impossible to plan a route that avoids all of them. Many of them have an "Unspecified Operator".
DeFlock
Spot, map, and resist automated license plate readers (ALPRs) near you.
deflock.me
May 29, 2025 at 11:02 PM
deflock.me has an interactive map that shows ALPR locations in your town and who operates them. I have noticed that the number of ALPR's has exploded and it's nearly impossible to plan a route that avoids all of them. Many of them have an "Unspecified Operator".
ICE is using ALPR's to track and enforce immigration detentions. Below are links to sources for locating cameras in operation.
USA map: deflock.me/map
Flock Safety Database: atlasofsurveillance.org/search?vendo...
Article on ICE usage of Flock Safety Datasets: www.404media.co/ice-taps-int...
USA map: deflock.me/map
Flock Safety Database: atlasofsurveillance.org/search?vendo...
Article on ICE usage of Flock Safety Datasets: www.404media.co/ice-taps-int...
ICE Taps into Nationwide AI-Enabled Camera Network, Data Shows
Flock's automatic license plate reader (ALPR) cameras are in more than 5,000 communities around the U.S. Local police are doing lookups in the nationwide system for ICE.
www.404media.co
May 28, 2025 at 3:47 PM
ICE is using ALPR's to track and enforce immigration detentions. Below are links to sources for locating cameras in operation.
USA map: deflock.me/map
Flock Safety Database: atlasofsurveillance.org/search?vendo...
Article on ICE usage of Flock Safety Datasets: www.404media.co/ice-taps-int...
USA map: deflock.me/map
Flock Safety Database: atlasofsurveillance.org/search?vendo...
Article on ICE usage of Flock Safety Datasets: www.404media.co/ice-taps-int...
like, ALPR's are *way* more common than speed cameras, but typically aren't tied directly to enforcement and don't have this type of pushback
if the issue is non-warrant-based fishing expeditions in collected data, *regulate that*
if the issue is non-warrant-based fishing expeditions in collected data, *regulate that*
May 28, 2025 at 1:20 PM
like, ALPR's are *way* more common than speed cameras, but typically aren't tied directly to enforcement and don't have this type of pushback
if the issue is non-warrant-based fishing expeditions in collected data, *regulate that*
if the issue is non-warrant-based fishing expeditions in collected data, *regulate that*
When I say Automatic License Plate Readers (ALPR’s) like flock cameras will be used against you…
I FUCKING MEAN THEY ARE BEING USED AGAINST YOU
I FUCKING MEAN THEY ARE BEING USED AGAINST YOU
May 28, 2025 at 12:08 AM
When I say Automatic License Plate Readers (ALPR’s) like flock cameras will be used against you…
I FUCKING MEAN THEY ARE BEING USED AGAINST YOU
I FUCKING MEAN THEY ARE BEING USED AGAINST YOU
ALPR’s are part of this new rage. Attitudes that you have no privacy in public needs to switch that when you’re in public that does not mean companies & other entities can use general public spaces for unregulated surveillance & data mining w/o consenting by affected whom dossiers are built on.
Excited to be in Canada for #SSN2025 workshop on #surveillance & #AI at the Uni of Ottawa organised by @ubisurv.net!
I will present on green surveillance, policing fishery crimes & the need for more-than-human governance!
#digitalcriminology #greencriminology surveillance-studies.net/conference/
I will present on green surveillance, policing fishery crimes & the need for more-than-human governance!
#digitalcriminology #greencriminology surveillance-studies.net/conference/
Conference – Surveillance Studies Network
surveillance-studies.net
May 25, 2025 at 11:42 AM
ALPR’s are part of this new rage. Attitudes that you have no privacy in public needs to switch that when you’re in public that does not mean companies & other entities can use general public spaces for unregulated surveillance & data mining w/o consenting by affected whom dossiers are built on.
…..”AND LICENSE PLATE READER DATA”
Destroy every ALPR you see. They are a tool of oppression for the state and will do more harm than good.
Unrelated - are there alpr’s near you? Find out here. Deflock.me
Destroy every ALPR you see. They are a tool of oppression for the state and will do more harm than good.
Unrelated - are there alpr’s near you? Find out here. Deflock.me
April 10, 2025 at 1:25 AM
…..”AND LICENSE PLATE READER DATA”
Destroy every ALPR you see. They are a tool of oppression for the state and will do more harm than good.
Unrelated - are there alpr’s near you? Find out here. Deflock.me
Destroy every ALPR you see. They are a tool of oppression for the state and will do more harm than good.
Unrelated - are there alpr’s near you? Find out here. Deflock.me
ALPR’s are always watching.
Like pokemon, you too can find them all!!
(And share in case there is a need for avoidance.)
Deflock.me
Like pokemon, you too can find them all!!
(And share in case there is a need for avoidance.)
Deflock.me
March 20, 2025 at 9:11 PM
ALPR’s are always watching.
Like pokemon, you too can find them all!!
(And share in case there is a need for avoidance.)
Deflock.me
Like pokemon, you too can find them all!!
(And share in case there is a need for avoidance.)
Deflock.me
It's extremely performative for you to be taking int’l women's day selfies while you push surveillance that will be integrated with ALPR's which have already been used to track people seeking repro and gender affirming healthcare. Maybe you should actually try reading Jessica Valenti's Substack
March 8, 2025 at 6:50 PM
It's extremely performative for you to be taking int’l women's day selfies while you push surveillance that will be integrated with ALPR's which have already been used to track people seeking repro and gender affirming healthcare. Maybe you should actually try reading Jessica Valenti's Substack
Part 2 in my Fusus explainer series, a look at the broader debate over community safety. From disparate impact in traffic stops and use of force, to oversight boards, ALPR’s, and a militarized ‘cop city’ police campus—Nashvillians have asked: safety for whom? open.substack.com/pub/adamshoo...
March 2, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Part 2 in my Fusus explainer series, a look at the broader debate over community safety. From disparate impact in traffic stops and use of force, to oversight boards, ALPR’s, and a militarized ‘cop city’ police campus—Nashvillians have asked: safety for whom? open.substack.com/pub/adamshoo...
I'm asking for infrastructure geeks and eagle-eyed observers out there to please join the deflock game. RULES: Go to deflock(.)me, learn what ALPR's look like. Spot them. Stop safely. Use what3words to map them. Add their location to OpenStreetMap. Never driver by them again.
February 20, 2025 at 6:13 PM
I'm asking for infrastructure geeks and eagle-eyed observers out there to please join the deflock game. RULES: Go to deflock(.)me, learn what ALPR's look like. Spot them. Stop safely. Use what3words to map them. Add their location to OpenStreetMap. Never driver by them again.
100 more ALPR’s added to deflock.me
Join the fun! Start adding the tools of your surveillance stage today!
Join the fun! Start adding the tools of your surveillance stage today!
DeFlock
Your car is being tracked. See where license plate readers are, avoid them, and report new ones. Protect your privacy at Deflock.me.
deflock.me
February 14, 2025 at 10:37 PM
100 more ALPR’s added to deflock.me
Join the fun! Start adding the tools of your surveillance stage today!
Join the fun! Start adding the tools of your surveillance stage today!
ALPR's are a terrible idea. Want to know what police do with access to ALPRs? Stalk their exes, "Kansas police chief used Flock license plate cameras 164 times to track ex-girlfriend"
www.kansas.com/news/politic...
www.kansas.com/news/politic...
January 8, 2025 at 4:04 PM
ALPR's are a terrible idea. Want to know what police do with access to ALPRs? Stalk their exes, "Kansas police chief used Flock license plate cameras 164 times to track ex-girlfriend"
www.kansas.com/news/politic...
www.kansas.com/news/politic...
Hot Take: All ALPR's and Speed Camera's should be taken down.
January 8, 2025 at 5:04 AM
Hot Take: All ALPR's and Speed Camera's should be taken down.
MASS SURVEILLANCE DOESN’T MAKE ANYBODY SAFER
Breaking news from @404media.co many ALPR’s (automatic license plate readers) are fully open to the internet for anybody to see.
Check the video on how to do it for yourself
www.404media.co/researcher-t...
youtu.be/0dUnY1641WM?...
GitHub below 👇
Breaking news from @404media.co many ALPR’s (automatic license plate readers) are fully open to the internet for anybody to see.
Check the video on how to do it for yourself
www.404media.co/researcher-t...
youtu.be/0dUnY1641WM?...
GitHub below 👇
Researcher Turns Insecure License Plate Cameras Into Open Source Surveillance Tool
Privacy advocate draws attention to the fact that hundreds of police surveillance cameras are streaming directly to the open internet.
www.404media.co
January 7, 2025 at 11:35 PM
MASS SURVEILLANCE DOESN’T MAKE ANYBODY SAFER
Breaking news from @404media.co many ALPR’s (automatic license plate readers) are fully open to the internet for anybody to see.
Check the video on how to do it for yourself
www.404media.co/researcher-t...
youtu.be/0dUnY1641WM?...
GitHub below 👇
Breaking news from @404media.co many ALPR’s (automatic license plate readers) are fully open to the internet for anybody to see.
Check the video on how to do it for yourself
www.404media.co/researcher-t...
youtu.be/0dUnY1641WM?...
GitHub below 👇