MapQuest Adds Surveillance Layer To Show Flock Cameras
MapQuest has introduced a new surveillance layer to its app, allowing users to see the location of Flock license plate tracking cameras and other outdoor license plate readers. This feature may help users concerned about surveillance to avoid these areas.
Original reporting · zdnet.com
Original: “How to find Flock cameras near you with MapQuest’s new ‘surveillance layer’”
Read “How to find Flock cameras near you with MapQuest’s new ‘surveillance layer’” at ZDNET AI →
How this was written. Content Memory wrote this article with a language model from ZDNET AI’s reporting (model: @cf/meta/llama-3.3-70b-instruct-fp8-fast); it describes that reporting rather than adding to it. The original, linked above, is the full story.
Key points from ZDNET AI’s report
- MapQuest has introduced a surveillance layer to its app to show the location of Flock license plate tracking cameras and other outdoor license plate readers.
- The surveillance layer provides users with information on camera locations, allowing them to avoid areas with high surveillance if they choose to.
- MapQuest's app offers turn-by-turn navigation and other features similar to Google Maps and Apple Maps, but with the added benefit of surveillance camera information.
MapQuest, a well-known online navigation service, has announced the addition of a surveillance layer to its app, according to ZDNET AI. This new feature allows users to see the location of Flock license plate tracking cameras and other outdoor license plate readers on the map. The rise of these cameras has been a concern for many, with over 90,000 Flock cameras installed in the US.
The surveillance layer on MapQuest's app shows known outdoor license plate readers from multiple brands, including Flock Safety, Motorola Solutions, and others. When the layer is turned on, the cameras appear on the map as a small red eye, with a vision cone indicating the direction the camera is facing. This feature may be useful for users who want to avoid areas with high surveillance.
MapQuest's app offers turn-by-turn navigation, similar to Google Maps and Apple Maps, but neither of these services provides information on Flock camera locations. The Waze app does identify 'police cameras', but this category includes speed cameras, traffic cameras, and weather cameras, making it difficult to distinguish between surveillance cameras and other types of cameras.
The introduction of the surveillance layer on MapQuest's app may be part of the company's efforts to regain its position in the navigation market. MapQuest has seen a resurgence in recent months, with a surge in new users after announcing that it would not change the name of Lake Ontario, and the introduction of Android Auto support.
The data used for the surveillance layer appears to be user-generated, possibly from crowdsourced maps like OpenStreetMap, which shows the location of Flock and similar license plate reading cameras. However, MapQuest has not disclosed how it obtained the location data for the cameras.
The availability of the surveillance layer on MapQuest's app may appeal to users who are concerned about surveillance and want to avoid areas with high camera presence. With the rise of Flock cameras and other license plate readers, this feature may become an important consideration for users choosing a navigation service.
MapQuest's efforts to improve its app and provide new features may make it a viable alternative to Google Maps, Waze, and Apple Maps for users who are disillusioned with the current tech landscape. As the company continues to update and expand its services, it may attract more users who are looking for a navigation app that meets their needs and concerns.
Questions and answers
What does the surveillance layer on MapQuest's app show?
The surveillance layer shows known outdoor license plate readers from multiple brands, including Flock Safety, Motorola Solutions, and others.
How does the surveillance layer work?
When the layer is turned on, the cameras appear on the map as a small red eye, with a vision cone indicating the direction the camera is facing.
Why is the surveillance layer useful?
The surveillance layer may be useful for users who want to avoid areas with high surveillance, and it provides information on camera locations that is not available on other navigation apps like Google Maps and Apple Maps.
