{
  "id": 1491622,
  "title": "Have you been Flocked? This free website reveals when your license plate has been searched for on the cop camera database",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/have-you-been-flocked-this-free-website-reveals-when-your-license",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-08-17T13:50:23.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "TechRadar",
    "slug": "techradar",
    "url": "https://www.techradar.com/tech/have-you-been-flocked-this-free-website-reveals-when-your-license-plate-has-been-searched-for-on-the-cop-camera-database"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A free website called Have I Been Flocked? allows individuals to check if their license plate has been searched in the cop camera database. The website, operated by the independent project Footnote4a, compiles data from audit logs and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. It currently holds over 241 million searches, covering 4.6 million unique license plates. Upon entering a license plate, users receive a report detailing the reason for the search, such as auto theft or a traffic stop. The website also features a word cloud indicating popular search reasons, with \"drugs\" and \"burglary\" prominently displayed. In addition to individual searches, the site provides access to audit reports, information on non-criminal activities, and data about the locations of license plate readers. The extensive database, though not complete, is still comprehensive. The operators of Have I Been Flocked? argue that mass surveillance has no place in a free society and that warrants should be used, with lookups being rare if data is collected.",
  "summary": "This comprehensive website lets you search for your registration and to see why your vehicle was looked up.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}