Flock CEO Advocates for ‘Middle Ground’ Amidst Increasing Backlash Against Surveillance Firm
Flock Safety’s CEO, Garrett Langley, emphasizes the need for a balanced approach between privacy and security.
Langley, in a recent interview, highlighted that focusing solely on either privacy or safety misses the mark. He stressed the importance of reaching an agreement as a nation: “How do we ensure our safety while respecting privacy?”
His appearance on Fox News came amidst rising public concern regarding the potential misuse of Flock’s surveillance technology, which includes cameras, drones, and license plate recognition systems.
These worries are grounded in reality. A recent report pointed out 46 instances where law enforcement officers allegedly misused Flock’s technology for unauthorized activities, such as stalking personal relationships.
Langley expressed regret after hearing from an alleged victim, stating, “I apologize. It pains me to know she experienced that.” However, he defended Flock, claiming, “We didn’t cause police misconduct; we are the first to illuminate these issues and provide tools to address them.”
The backlash against data centers has gained traction across the political spectrum, with both Democratic and Republican lawmakers scrutinizing Flock.
On the left, Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed criticized his rival for endorsing widespread deployment of Flock cameras, asserting they invade personal privacy. Meanwhile, Senator Bernie Sanders called for an end to AI mass surveillance, specifically targeting Flock.
Conversely, three Republican House members introduced legislation to ban federal purchases of automated surveillance systems, which would include Flock’s technology.
In response to mounting criticism, Flock has made some operational adjustments, such as cutting the standard data retention period from 30 days to seven and requiring a case code for data access. Nonetheless, these modifications can be bypassed, enabling police to extend data storage using a feature known as Evidence Mode.
The American Civil Liberties Union commented on Flock’s changes, acknowledging the reduction in retention time but questioning its efficacy, depending on how the Evidence Mode functions.
Langley has suggested that state officials should implement legislation that criminalizes the improper use of Flock data. During his Fox News discussion, he noted the changes already in place, adding that current regulations are insufficient: “At present, both Flock and similar technologies often operate without oversight or accountability, which is unacceptable.”
Langley will address these pressing issues at the upcoming Disrupt conference in October, where further discussion is expected.
