MapQuest Adds Surveillance Layer Showing Flock License Plate Cameras

The layer appears in the app's map options and displays ALPRs from Flock, Vigilant, Genetec, Axis, Axon, Leonardo, Neology, Rekor, PlateSmart, Ubicquia and Verkada, according to TechRadar, which cited a MapQuest announcement reported by Android Authority. MapQuest marks each camera with a red eye icon. In a post on Bluesky, MapQuest said, "The Roads Have Eyes! Turn on the Surveillance Layer in Map Options to see known license plate readers from Flock Safety, Motorola Solutions (Vigilant), Genetec, Axis Communications, Axon, Leonardo (ELSAG), Neology, Rekor, PlateSmart, Ubicquia, Verkada, and other outdoor surveillance cameras."

TechRadar reported that Flock alone has more than 120,000 cameras installed around the United States. At that density, users may not be able to avoid the cameras completely without taking unusual routes, but the layer lets them know where the devices are, TechRadar said. It added that some users might decide to take the bus for privacy.

The change drew mostly positive reactions online, according to TechRadar. One Reddit user said, "This is how you win back users from Google," and others in the thread said they planned to switch to MapQuest or had already done so, the report said.

Flock has argued as recently as this week that ALPRs are useful crime-prevention tools that cover more ground than police officers can on their own and help dispatch law enforcement resources more effectively, TechRadar reported.

Concerns about the technology have centered on misuse. TechRadar reported that some people with access to ALPR systems could track members of the public without permission or stalk former partners, incidents that the report said have happened multiple times and led to public backlash. TechRadar also cited concerns about Flock data being shared with other government agencies without proper oversight and about the systems being hacked.

TechRadar reported that MapQuest has seen a resurgence in popularity since it decided to ignore certain lake-renaming mandates from the US government. The surveillance layer is the latest addition to its mobile apps, and the report said the move may improve MapQuest's reputation further.

Editor's Summary

MapQuest has added a Surveillance Layer to its mobile apps showing known ALPR locations, including more than 120,000 Flock cameras in the US. The feature drew mostly positive user reaction online, while concerns about misuse, data sharing and hacking remain part of the debate. The update ties MapQuest's product change to a broader public discussion about surveillance and access to camera data.