5.7 KiB
DeFlock
A comprehensive Flutter app for mapping public surveillance infrastructure with OpenStreetMap. Includes offline capabilities, editing ability, and an intuitive interface.
DeFlock is a privacy-focused initiative to document the rapid expansion of ALPRs, AI surveillance cameras, and other public surveillance infrastructure. This app aims to be the go-to tool for contributors to map surveillance devices in their communities and upload the data to OpenStreetMap, making surveillance infrastructure visible and searchable.
For complete documentation, tutorials, and community info, visit deflock.me
What This App Does
- Map surveillance infrastructure including cameras, ALPRs, gunshot detectors, and more with precise location, direction, and manufacturer details
- Upload to OpenStreetMap with OAuth2 integration (live or sandbox modes)
- Work completely offline with downloadable map areas and device data, plus upload queue
- Multiple map types including satellite imagery from Google, Esri, Mapbox, and OpenStreetMap, plus custom map tile provider support
- Editing Ability to update existing device locations and properties
- Built-in device profiles for Flock Safety, Motorola, Genetec, Leonardo, and other major manufacturers, plus custom profiles for more specific tag sets
Key Features
Map & Navigation
- Multi-source tiles: Switch between OpenStreetMap, Google Satellite, Esri imagery, Mapbox, and any custom providers
- Offline-first design: Download a region for complete offline operation
- Smooth UX: Intuitive controls, follow-me mode with GPS rotation, and gesture-friendly interactions
- Device visualization: Color-coded markers showing real devices (blue), pending uploads (purple), new devices (white), edited devices (grey), and devices being edited (orange)
Device Management
- Comprehensive profiles: Built-in profiles for major manufacturers (Flock Safety, Motorola/Vigilant, Genetec, Leonardo/ELSAG, Neology) plus custom profile creation
- Editing capabilities: Update location, direction, and tags of existing devices
- Direction visualization: Interactive field-of-view cones showing camera viewing angles
- Bulk operations: Tag multiple devices efficiently with profile-based workflow
Professional Upload & Sync
- OpenStreetMap integration: Direct upload with full OAuth2 authentication
- Upload modes: Production OSM, testing sandbox, or simulate-only mode
- Queue management: Review, edit, retry, or cancel pending uploads
- Changeset tracking: Automatic grouping and commenting for organized contributions
Offline Operations
- Smart area downloads: Automatically calculate tile counts and storage requirements
- Device caching: Offline areas include surveillance device data for complete functionality without network
- Global base map: Permanent worldwide coverage at low zoom levels
- Robust downloads: Exponential backoff, retry logic, and progress tracking for reliable area downloads
Quick Start
- Install the app on iOS or Android
- Enable location permissions
- Log into OpenStreetMap: Choose upload mode and get OAuth2 credentials
- Add your first device: Tap the "tag node" button, position the pin, set direction, select a profile, and tap submit
New to OpenStreetMap? Visit deflock.me for complete setup instructions and community guidelines.
For Developers
Architecture Highlights
- Unified data provider: All map tiles and surveillance device data route through
MapDataProviderwith pluggable remote/local sources - Modular settings: Each settings section is a separate widget for maintainability
- State management: Provider pattern with clean separation of concerns
- Offline-first: Network calls are optional; app functions fully offline with downloaded data and queues uploads until online
Build Setup
Prerequisites: Flutter SDK, Xcode (iOS), Android Studio
OAuth Setup: Register apps at openstreetmap.org/oauth2 and OSM Sandbox to get a client ID
# Basic setup
flutter pub get
cp lib/keys.dart.example lib/keys.dart
# Add your OAuth2 client IDs to keys.dart
# iOS additional setup
cd ios && pod install
# Run
flutter run
Roadmap
v1 todo/bug List
- Optional custom icons for camera profiles
- Camera deletions
- Upgrade device marker design (considering nullplate's svg)
Future Features & Wishlist
- Location-based notifications when approaching surveillance devices
- Red/yellow ring for devices missing specific tag details
- iOS/Android native themes and dark mode support
- "Cache accumulating" offline areas?
- "Offline areas" as tile provider?
- Jump to location by coordinates, address, or POI name
- Route planning that avoids surveillance devices
- Custom device providers and OSM/Overpass alternatives
Contributing & Community
This app is part of the larger DeFlock initiative. Join the community:
- Documentation & Guides: deflock.me
- Community Discussion: deflock.me
- Issues & Feature Requests: GitHub Issues
- Development: See developer setup above
Privacy & Ethics
This project helps make existing public surveillance infrastructure transparent and searchable. We only document surveillance devices that are already installed and visible in public spaces.
No user information is ever collected, and no data leaves your device except submissions to OSM and whatever data your tile provider can glean from your requests.
License
This project is open source. See LICENSE for details.