Flock Safety's business model depends on capturing every plate that passes its cameras. Offering an opt-out would undermine the comprehensiveness of its database. Flock does offer a "Safe List" feature for neighborhood systems that lets residents mark their vehicles as "resident" — but this does not remove your data from the system; it simply adds a label. Your plate, location, and timestamp are still logged and searchable. The Maryville Residents for Privacy group, which successfully pushed back against Flock deployment in their Tennessee town, confirmed: "There is no opt-out. Flock Safety does not offer residents any mechanism to remove their vehicle from its database, prevent future collection, or even view the data that has been collected on them."
The most direct way to reduce your ALPR exposure is to avoid driving through camera zones. Flock Alert maps documented Flock Safety and ALPR camera locations across the US, so you can see which cameras are on your regular routes. The app's surveillance-free route planner can chart a path around known cameras and open it in Apple or Google Maps. This will not eliminate exposure entirely — new cameras are installed regularly and not all locations are documented — but it significantly reduces the number of scans logged against your plate.
Flock Safety markets consumer-facing products, including a neighborhood watch app and residential ALPR cameras. If you or your HOA use these products, you are voluntarily feeding data into Flock's surveillance network. Opting out of Flock's consumer products is a direct, free countermeasure: do not install Flock cameras in your neighborhood, and do not use their consumer app. If your HOA is considering Flock cameras, share information about the privacy risks from the ACLU and EFF.
The most effective long-term solution is civic action. Over 30 cities have deactivated or canceled Flock contracts since early 2025, driven by resident pressure. The ACLU's "Get the Flock Out" campaign provides a local advocacy toolkit with steps for organizing, attending city council meetings, filing public records requests, and pushing for ordinances that ban or restrict ALPR deployment. If your city has Flock cameras, contact your local ACLU affiliate and your city council representatives. Public pressure has worked in cities from Flagstaff, AZ to Cambridge, MA.
Under your state's public records law (often called "sunshine" or FOIA laws), you can request records about your local police department's ALPR use. Ask for: the contract with Flock Safety, data retention policies, audit logs of who searched the database, and whether data is shared with federal agencies like ICE or CBP. The ACLU has used public records requests to uncover widespread ALPR abuses. Finding out what your local police are doing with ALPR data is the first step to holding them accountable.
Several states have passed laws restricting ALPR use. Arkansas now requires a warrant for ALPR database searches. Virginia limits data retention to 30 days. Maine restricts state agency ALPR use. Support organizations like the ACLU and EFF that are pushing for similar legislation in your state. In February 2026, the ACLU released model legislation with strict guidelines for regulating ALPR cameras — contact your state representatives and ask them to introduce or support similar bills.
If you are pulled over and suspect an ALPR alert initiated the stop, you have rights. Ask the officer whether the stop was initiated based on an ALPR alert — you are entitled to ask. Document everything: time, location, officer name and badge number, and what you were told. If you believe the stop was unlawful, contact a civil rights or criminal defense attorney. The ACLU has documented cases where ALPR data led to wrongful stops, including children being removed from a car at gunpoint due to a misidentified plate.
Can I remove my license plate from Flock's database?
No. Flock Safety does not offer any mechanism for individuals to remove their plate data, prevent future collection, or view the data stored about them. There is no opt-out form or process.
Does Flock's "Safe List" protect my privacy?
No. Flock's Safe List lets you mark your vehicle as a "resident" in a neighborhood system, but it does not remove your plate, location, or timestamp from the database. Your data is still logged and searchable.
Is there a federal law that lets me opt out of ALPR?
No. There is no federal ALPR-specific law that provides an opt-out mechanism. Regulation is left to states and municipalities. Some states have passed restrictions, but none provide an individual opt-out right.
What is the most effective way to fight ALPR surveillance?
Civic action. Over 30 cities have canceled Flock contracts after residents organized and pressured city councils. The ACLU's "Get the Flock Out" campaign provides toolkits for local advocacy. Filing public records requests and supporting state-level legislation are also effective.
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