MapQuest Now Shows Where Flock Surveillance Cameras Are

MapQuest Now Shows Where Flock Surveillance Cameras Are

MapQuest has a surprising new feature that shows where Flock license plate readers and other roadside surveillance cameras have been reported. Here's how to turn on its Surveillance Layer and discover what may be watching the roads around you.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

October 20, 2026

Subscribe | Read the Newsletter Version

Remember MapQuest?

Long before smartphones made turn-by-turn navigation commonplace, MapQuest helped drivers find their destinations with printed driving directions.

Now the longtime mapping service has a surprising new feature.

It can show you where certain roadside surveillance cameras are located.

The feature displays known or reported locations of automated license plate readers, including devices manufactured by Flock Safety.

These cameras are used by law enforcement agencies and other organizations to capture license plate information and help identify vehicles.

But their growing presence has also sparked questions about privacy, data collection, and how vehicle location information is used.

Here's a Cool Tip: Turn on MapQuest's Surveillance Layer to discover reported license plate cameras near you.

MapQuest's Creative Response to the 'Gulf of America' Renaming

MapQuest's Creative Response to the 'Gulf of America' Renaming

MapQuest has introduced the Gulf Map Generator, a unique tool that allows users to rename the Gulf of Mexico to anything they choose. This interactive feature offers a fun and creative way to engage with maps while sidestepping political controversy. Learn how to use this tool, its benefits, potential drawbacks, and why it’s sparking conversations online.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

February 21, 2025

What's in a name?

In the case of the Gulf of America, a lot.

In a bold move that has sparked widespread debate, President Donald Trump signed Executive Order 14172 on January 20, 2025, mandating the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America." 

 This directive has led to varied responses from mapping services and the public alike.

While major mapping platforms like Google Maps and Apple Maps have complied with the executive order by updating their U.S. maps to reflect the new designation, MapQuest has taken a different path. 

This month, MapQuest unveiled the "Gulf Map Generator," a tool that allows users to personalize the name of the Gulf. 

Accessible through a dedicated website, this feature enables individuals to input any name they choose, generating a customized map with their selected label prominently displayed over the Gulf's expanse.