A journalist at 404 Media has revealed he is now devoting his entire reporting schedule to investigating Flock and its automated license plate reader (ALPR) systems, as overwhelming interest in the surveillance company generates a flood of tips and sources. Jason Koebler shared the update in the publication’s weekly “Behind the Blog” feature on July 24, 2026.
Koebler acknowledged that while he’s aware other topics exist in the news cycle, the surge in attention around the Flock ALPR investigation has fundamentally shifted his reporting priorities. The journalist stated he is being “inundated with tips, story ideas, and sources” related to the company and its practices, creating pressure to pursue the numerous leads he’s receiving.
What Stories Are Being Delayed?
The intensive focus on Flock has come at a cost to other coverage. Koebler admitted that the time constraints of investigating the surveillance company mean “some other things I want to cover are either falling by the wayside or will have to wait.” He noted there are “only so many hours in the day” to handle the volume of information coming in.
What Additional Coverage Is Planned?
Despite already writing “pretty much exclusively about Flock” during the week, Koebler indicated the investigation is far from complete. He revealed he is currently working on several additional articles about automated license plate readers that will likely be published within the next week or so.
The intense focus on Flock follows recent reporting by 404 Media on the company, including a July 23, 2026 article examining statements by Flock CEO Garrett Langley about the video capabilities of the company’s ALPR systems. That reporting suggested discrepancies between the CEO’s public statements and the company’s previous announcements about system capabilities.
Why Is Source Interest So High?
While Koebler did not elaborate on the specific nature of the tips flooding in, the volume suggests significant public and source concern about automated license plate reader technology and Flock’s deployment of these systems. The sustained interest indicates the story has touched on broader concerns about surveillance technology and privacy.
The journalist’s comments offer a rare behind-the-scenes look at how investigative reporting priorities can shift dramatically when a story generates substantial public interest and source engagement. The dedication of all available reporting time to a single ongoing investigation demonstrates the depth of material available on Flock’s operations and practices.
Source: 404 Media