Flock CEO calls for ‘compromise’ as surveillance company faces growing backlash | TechCrunch

The chief executive officer of Flock Safety, Garrett Langley, has publicly advocated for a national compromise that balances personal privacy with public safety.

His statements come during a period of intense public and political scrutiny directed at his company, which designs and distributes automated license plate readers, surveillance cameras, and drone technology. Critics have voiced mounting alarm over the potential for these automated tracking systems to be abused by authorities. These concerns were highlighted by a recent media report revealing dozens of instances where law enforcement officers allegedly utilized the platform to illicitly monitor individuals, including romantic partners and spouses.

In response to the growing backlash, political figures from across the ideological spectrum have proposed restrictions on mass surveillance technology, with some federal lawmakers introducing legislation to block government procurement of automated tracking equipment. Flock Safety has attempted to address these criticisms by updating its software to require case justification codes and by shortening its default data retention period. Despite these technical modifications, civil liberties organizations remain skeptical, pointing out that certain system settings allow operators to easily bypass the new limitations. Langley has called on state governments to enact laws making the misuse of such tracking tools a criminal offense, acknowledging a broader need for industry-wide regulatory standards and accountability.