Fact check: Can flight radar track government or private deportation flights?

1. Summary of the results

Based on the analyses provided, flight radar can track government and private deportation flights, but with significant limitations. Multiple sources confirm that commercial flight tracking platforms like FlightRadar24 and FlightAware have been successfully used to monitor deportation operations ^{[1] [2] [3] [4]}. These platforms provided detailed information including flight numbers, destinations, and comprehensive timelines of deportation operations ^{[1] [4]}.

However, ICE has implemented countermeasures to evade detection. The agency began using 'dummy' call signs and unlisted tail numbers specifically to avoid tracking by commercial flight radar services ^{[3] [5] [1]}. This represents a deliberate effort by government agencies to limit public oversight of deportation operations.

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question lacks several crucial pieces of context:

• Government agencies actively work to avoid detection - ICE's use of dummy call signs and unlisted tail numbers shows that while flight radar can track these flights, government agencies are taking steps to prevent such tracking ^{[5] [1]}
• Advocacy groups rely on flight tracking for oversight - The sources indicate that advocacy organizations use flight tracking data to monitor deportation activities, suggesting this capability serves an important public accountability function ^[6]
• Private airlines are also involved - The tracking extends beyond government flights to include private contractors like Avelo Airlines, which faced backlash for participating in deportation operations ^[3]
• The cat-and-mouse nature of the tracking - There's an ongoing dynamic where tracking services provide transparency while government agencies develop methods to avoid detection

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question appears neutral and factual, asking about technical capabilities rather than making claims. However, it omits the complexity of the tracking landscape - specifically that while flight radar can track these flights, government agencies are actively working to prevent such tracking through operational security measures ^{[3] [5] [1]}.

The question also doesn't acknowledge the public interest aspect - that flight tracking serves as a tool for transparency and accountability in government deportation operations, which some advocacy groups and journalists rely upon for oversight purposes ^{[6] [2] [4]}.