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Flock Safety CEO Garrett Langley has publicly walked back previous characterizations of privacy activists as "terroristic," signaling a shift in the company’s approach to growing public opposition. As the surveillance firm hits a $500 million annual revenue rate, it faces intensifying scrutiny over its network of 80,000 automated license plate readers (ALPRs) and its role in law enforcement data collection.
Shifting Rhetoric Amid Public Backlash
For two years, the organization DeFlock, led by Will Freeman, has mapped camera locations and organized grassroots opposition to Flock Safety’s surveillance infrastructure. In previous public statements, Langley labeled the group a "terroristic organization." In a recent interview with Forbes, Langley retracted that language.
"My comments were a mistake and I apologize," Langley told Forbes. "There are groups today that have real valid criticisms of the business, and I think what’s changed for us is, as we’ve listened to them and heard them out, what we’re trying to do is find this balance."
This pivot follows a series of public controversies, including the company’s brief partnership with Amazon’s Ring, reports of federal agencies accessing camera data, and viral social media posts from high-profile figures. While the company has previously issued cease-and-desist letters to activists and criticized groups for allegedly attempting to "normalize lawlessness," Langley now states he welcomes regulatory guidance.
Data Retention and Regulatory Compliance
A central point of contention for critics is the duration and accessibility of vehicle data. Langley confirmed that Flock does not work with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Regarding data storage, the company maintains that it typically retains vehicle information for 30 days unless local government contracts specify otherwise.
In Washington state, for example, a recently enacted law limits data retention to 21 days. Langley stated that the company supports such regulation, viewing it as a clear signal of community expectations regarding privacy.
Growth of the Surveillance Network
Despite the vocal opposition, the company’s footprint continues to expand. Flock Safety reached an annual revenue rate of $500 million earlier this year. While the company is widely known for its license plate readers, approximately half of its revenue now stems from additional technologies, including:
- AI-Powered Analytics: Software that allows law enforcement to search for specific descriptors, such as a "man with a ginger beard," to filter through large datasets.
- Drones and Live-Stream Cameras: Integrated hardware designed to provide real-time visual intelligence.
- Gunshot Detection: Acoustic sensors designed to alert police to firearm discharges.
Ongoing Activism and Legal Challenges
The movement against Flock is not subsiding. DeFlock has released mobile applications for Android and iOS, which have been downloaded 350,000 times, allowing users to crowdsource the location of camera installations.
Will Freeman is currently suing the Boulder Police Department to gain access to records detailing when his vehicle was tracked by the technology. Additionally, activists are planning a "National Week of Action Against ALPRs" for next month, with events scheduled across 102 cities.
While some agencies, such as the Los Angeles Police Department and police departments in Mountain View, California, and Framingham, Massachusetts, have discontinued their use of the technology due to privacy concerns, the company continues to maintain a significant presence in public safety operations across the United States.