Digital tracking explained
Commercial license plate data and agency access
A historical federal privacy assessment documents commercial plate-data services alongside agency collection.
Latest source check .
Commercial access is a documented route
A DHS privacy assessment dated 01-24-2022 describes HSI's use of surveillance technologies, including license plate readers and commercial plate-reader data services. That is dated documentary evidence of an access model, not proof of a current contract or access to every camera in this map. DHS: 01-24-2022 HSI privacy assessment
Keep the source of a record attached
The assessment distinguishes technologies and their privacy controls. When reviewing a local program, separate records collected by the agency from records accessible through an outside service. Ask for the service agreement and access policy before inferring which records an agency can search. DHS: 01-24-2022 HSI privacy assessment
A mapped camera cannot establish a resale chain
A source-reported camera point does not establish its customers or permissions. Flock describes customer-controlled sharing; local access settings require local records. Flock: data retention and access disclosure
Questions and answers
Does the federal assessment identify every current commercial customer?
No. It is a document dated 01-24-2022 about the described HSI program. It is not a current nationwide customer list. DHS: 01-24-2022 HSI privacy assessment
How can I check a police department's outside access?
Request the existing contracts, access policies and sharing agreements. The Kentucky records guide provides a starting template.
Sources and scope
- Flock: data retention and access disclosure. Checked 10-24-2026.
- DHS: 01-24-2022 HSI privacy assessment. Checked 10-23-2026.