How long do Flock cameras keep data?

Flock's long-standing default was 30 days unless state or local rules set another period, and Flock says it now recommends 7 days for new setups. Existing customers keep their approved period, and data saved as evidence can be kept longer. Some states set limits by law (see NCSL).

Who can access Flock data, and is it shared across states?

The customer (a police department, HOA or business) controls access and sharing, per Flock and agency FAQs. Agencies can share one-to-one, by radius, statewide, or through Flock's National Lookup. In 2025, EFF and 404 Media reported that a Texas sheriff's office searched more than 83,000 cameras nationwide, including in Illinois and Washington. Illinois officials then cut off 46 out-of-state agencies.

Can I opt out of Flock cameras?

Generally no. There's no way to opt out of cameras on public roads. Flock offers a Safe List only to residential customers like HOAs, and it doesn't stop your car being captured by other cameras once you leave, per Atlanta News First. What you can do: request your agency's policy, sharing list and audit logs, speak at council meetings, push for state or local limits, and check your HOA's governing documents.

Flock camera FAQ: tickets, video, retention, sharing & opting out

Q: Do Flock cameras give speeding tickets?

No, according to the agencies and Flock materials we found. A Stoughton, MA police FAQ says it "is not a traffic camera designed to detect traffic violations and send citations," and a Flock presentation in a Contra Costa County packet says "NOT used for traffic enforcement." Speed and red-light cameras are separate systems. Some state laws also restrict this: Idaho Code § 49-1432 bars using ALPR data to enforce traffic infractions other than those tied to a traffic accident.

Q: Do Flock cameras ticket expired tags?

We found no source saying Flock cameras issue citations for expired registration, and Flock materials say the system is not for traffic enforcement and is not connected to registration (DMV) data. What plates an agency puts on its own hot list depends on local policy, which a records request can reveal.

Q: Do Flock cameras detect tinted windows?

Unknown. Window tint is not in the published Vehicle Fingerprint feature lists we found (make, body type, color, plate state and type, missing plate, roof racks, window stickers, toolboxes). We could not find a source either way.

Q: Do Flock cameras record video or photos?

Flock's license-plate readers capture still images of passing vehicles, per the Stoughton police FAQ. Flock also sells separate video cameras (its Condor line), so ask your agency or HOA exactly which products it bought.

Q: What is Flock's Vehicle Fingerprint?

Flock's name for machine-learning analysis of each image that tags vehicle details beyond the plate: make, body type, color, plate state, plate type, missing plate, and items like roof racks, window stickers and toolboxes, per a Tukwila, WA FAQ. It lets users search for a vehicle without a plate number.

Straight answers, with sources, to the most common questions about Flock license-plate cameras: speeding and expired-tag tickets, tint, stolen cars, video, Vehicle Fingerprint, retention, sharing and opting out.

Updated 2026-10-12 · data refreshed daily · corrections

Short answers with a source for each. Where we couldn't find a source, we say so. Policies differ by agency, so the definitive answer for your town is in its contract and policy. Request them.

Do Flock cameras give speeding tickets?

No, according to every agency and Flock document we found. A Stoughton, MA police FAQ says it "is not a traffic camera designed to detect traffic violations and send citations," and a Flock presentation in a Contra Costa County agenda packet says "NOT used for traffic enforcement." Speed and red-light cameras are different systems. Some states restrict it by law: Idaho bars using ALPR data to enforce traffic infractions other than those tied to a traffic accident (Idaho Code § 49-1432).

Do Flock cameras ticket expired tags?

We found no source saying they issue citations for expired registration. The Flock presentation says the system is "Not connected to registration data or 3rd party databases (Carfax, DMV)." Which plates an agency puts on its own hot list is set by local policy. That's a good item for a records request.

Do Flock cameras detect tinted windows?

Unknown. Tint isn't in the published Vehicle Fingerprint feature list we found, and we found no source either way. If you know of one, send it.

Do Flock cameras detect stolen cars?

They can alert on them. Agencies load hot lists, such as stolen vehicles and wanted plates, and get real-time alerts on a match (Stoughton PD; Flock). Stoughton's FAQ calls the information "only a lead. Further investigation is needed."

Do Flock cameras record video or photos?

Flock's license-plate readers capture still images that are uploaded and stored (Stoughton PD). Flock also sells separate video cameras (Condor). If your town or HOA has Flock, ask which products it bought.

What is Flock's "Vehicle Fingerprint"?

According to a Tukwila, WA FAQ, Vehicle Fingerprint is "standard on all Flock LPR cameras" and uses machine learning to tag make, body type, color, plate state, plate type (standard vs. temporary), missing plates, and "other identifiers (roof rack, window stickers, toolbox, and more)." EFF notes this lets officers search by color, make and model even without a plate.

How long is Flock data kept?

Flock says its default was 30 days, unless state or local policy set something else. It now recommends 7 days, and existing customers keep their approved periods. Data preserved as evidence can be kept longer (Tukwila). Some states set limits by statute (ALPR laws by state).

Who has access, and is data shared across state lines?

The customer controls access. Flock's CEO described options including one-to-one sharing, sharing by radius or statewide, and a National Lookup network for full-plate searches (State Journal-Register). In May 2025, 404 Media and EFF reported a Texas sheriff's office searched 6,809 networks and 83,345 cameras, including in Illinois and Washington, logging the reason "had an abortion, search for female." Illinois officials said 46 out-of-state agencies violated state law and cut off their access. Your agency's sharing list is a public record in many states.

How to opt out of Flock cameras

Honestly: you generally can't on public roads. Flock's Safe List is offered only to residential customers like HOAs, and a car on one neighborhood's Safe List can still be captured by other cameras once it leaves (Atlanta News First). What works:

Request your agency's contract, policy, sharing list and audit logs.
Show up when your council votes. Use our comment generator.
See what's around you on the map or on your commute, and check your state and city pages.
In an HOA? Read HOA rights and petitions.

General information, not legal advice. Policies change; check the date of each source.