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Proton Maps 300,000 Flock Surveillance Devices Amid Legal Threats

Proton Maps 300,000 Flock Surveillance Devices Amid Legal Threats

First seen 26 Oct 2026, 03:11 UTC • •
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ThreatCluster AI
ThreatCluster •October 26, 2026 at 05:11 UTC
  • •Proton's map reveals over 300,000 Flock surveillance devices, including 170,000 cameras.
  • •Joshua Michael discovered an exposed access token allowing access to device location data.
  • •Flock has threatened legal action against Michael while claiming no customer data was compromised.

Proton has published a public map detailing over 300,000 Flock surveillance devices in the U.S., including 170,000 cameras and 130,000 other devices, based on an inventory obtained by researcher Joshua Michael. The data was retrieved using an exposed access token discovered in November 2025. Following the disclosure, Flock sent Michael a cease-and-desist letter and claimed no unauthorized access to customer data was detected. The map reflects a snapshot from December 2025, meaning recent installations are not included. Flock's systems are used by law enforcement and private customers, raising concerns about privacy and misuse of data. The map allows users to see device locations by ZIP code, prompting inquiries to local authorities about surveillance practices. The situation has drawn scrutiny, with reports of police monitoring civic engagement against surveillance technology.

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Timeline

2025-11-01
Access token exposed
Joshua Michael discovered an exposed access token on Flock's servers that allowed retrieval of device location information.
Cyberinsider
2025-12-01
Data inventory archived
Michael archived the inventory of Flock devices after reporting the exposure to the company.
Cyberinsider
2026-09-23
Flock map published
Michael released his formal research paper and surveillance map detailing Flock's devices.
Cyberinsider
2026-09-25
Flock sends cease-and-desist letter
Flock sent Michael a cease-and-desist letter, threatening litigation regarding the exposed token.
Cyberinsider

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Common questions

How can I find Flock devices in my area?
You can use the Proton map to search by ZIP code to see where Flock's license plate readers are located.
What should I do if I see a Flock camera?
Consider reaching out to your local authorities to inquire about the use and data retention policies of these cameras.
Is my data at risk with Flock's systems?
Flock claims no unauthorized access to customer data was detected, but concerns about misuse remain due to the nature of surveillance.