New website lets drivers check whether their license plate has been searched on Flock database
https://www.dexerto.com/entertainment/new-website-lets-drivers-check-whether-their-license-plate-has-been-searched-on-flock-database-3398804/
check post at origin
For something as sensitive as typing in a license plate that can be identified to you, and potentially label you as a domestic terrorist, this article is garbage.
The lazy reporter did not do any research or reporting on who funds the website.
Have no fear, I’m pooping at work and have time, as I am more curious than journalist hack Matthew Benton.
HaveIbeenflocked.com appears to be funded by an organization called:
altnewsfoundation.org
They fund quite a few smaller local publications, with a focus on LatinX publications. Notably they do not fund any queer focused publications.
Their board appears to be 3/4 white. And their directors appears to be 50% white.
I cannot find where most of their funding comes from, the average, or the median donation size.
HaveIbeenflocked.com does claim they get their data from public access requests, which I find to be believable. They do not make clear that they dont save who has searched for a license plate number. They also don’t share how they save any search history.
My assumption is that they are saving every license plate search on their servers unencrpyted. Even if they aren’t malicious actors, they are not protecting your data from malicious actors.
Tl;Dr: Use this site with caution. Maybe dont use it at all. I don’t think I will.
Here’s a resource for deeper diving. I apologize but I don’t have time to devout. But if its of interest to anyone:
projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/…/300100369
Also, by law, a 501©3 must respond to and furnish copies of their 990s to anyone who requests. Those are, simply put, their financial statements for the fiscal year.
Thank you for that! Turns out this organization received a $5 million+ grant from Google, after operating under $5000 for like 4ish year.
projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/…/300100369
The image can be found in the filings…
I wonder what the organization did so successfully in their first few years to warrant Google giving them $5 million.
This is conjecture. Now I want to find out and see if one if these is right; but first let me guess. There are a few possibilities and I’ll, again, challenge myself to find the answer:
Nice try feds! We all love flock.
Juicy and delicious 😋