This free tool is helping drivers avoid automatic license plate readers —as fears grow around 'intrusive' new devices that could track your phone, AirPod and smartwatch data

A flock camera next to SignalTrace cameras on a post.

• ALPR (Automated License Plate Recognition) camera tech is getting smarter
• A new company is bridging the gap between cameras and connected tech
• Tools to avoid ALPR cameras are rapidly gaining popularity

More than 5,000 law enforcement departments across the US use Flock Safety cameras to track billions of license plates every month, according to a report from NBC news, helping them build an enormous database of the movements of everyday people.