MapQuest now shows you Flock and other license plate reader cameras on your route

MapQuest has introduced a new feature in its mobile app that allows users to identify license plate reader cameras along their routes. The feature, dubbed the "Surveillance Layer," can detect cameras from major manufacturers like Flock Safety, Axon Enterprise, Motorola Solutions, and PlateSmart. These automated license plate readers (ALPRs) capture and analyze vehicle information, including license plate numbers and details about the car.

Law enforcement agencies initially used these cameras to locate vehicles and identify suspects, while retailers have also adopted them as part of their security measures. However, the increasing concerns over privacy and potential misuse of the data have led to a backlash against the cameras. Retail outlets, police departments, and towns have started to reduce or eliminate their use.

Some cities, like Tempe in Arizona, have even shut down their Flock Safety camera networks. Despite the controversy, Flock, the maker of these cameras, maintains that their products do not use facial recognition and that clients can control access to and sharing of the collected data. The company has also tightened privacy safeguards, reducing data retention time from 30 days to 7 days.