Can you opt out of Flock cameras?
No — there is no opt-out. If you drive past a Flock camera, your license plate, vehicle details, and location are recorded automatically, with no consent and no individual way to say no. That's exactly why so many people want them banned.
Why there's no opt-out
Flock's automated license plate readers photograph every passing vehicle by design. There is no list to add yourself to and no setting that exempts you. The only "choice" is to avoid roads with cameras — which, with roughly 90,000 mapped nationwide, is increasingly impossible.
What happens to your data
License plate data is typically deleted on a rolling 30-day schedule by default, and some states now require faster deletion. But while it exists, it's searchable — and reporting has shown that data being queried by out-of-state and federal agencies. Deletion after the fact is not the same as not being tracked. See Flock & ICE.
What you can actually do
- Find the cameras near you using the DeFlock map.
- File a public-records request for your city's Flock contract and audit logs.
- Push your city council to cancel or restrict the program.
- Check whether your state restricts ALPR data on the laws-by-state page.
Individual opt-out isn't possible — but collective action is, and it works. See the communities that already removed Flock.
Frequently asked questions
+ Can I opt out of Flock cameras?
No. Flock offers no opt-out for residents. Anyone who drives past a Flock camera has their plate, vehicle details, and location logged — whether or not they are suspected of anything. There is no consent step and no individual opt-out list.
+ How long does Flock keep my data?
By default, license plate data is deleted on a rolling 30-day schedule, though retention can vary by agency and by state law (Washington now requires deletion within about three weeks). Even with deletion, your movements are searchable while the data exists.
+ How can I get my data removed from Flock?
There is no way to remove your vehicle's location records on demand. You can submit a request about non-plate personal information (like account data) through Flock's privacy form, but plate/location data simply ages out on the retention schedule.
+ What can I actually do?
The meaningful lever is collective, not individual: find out if your community has a contract, file public-records requests for the audit logs, and push your city to cancel or restrict it. That's how dozens of communities have removed Flock entirely.