Flock boss admits surveillance firm took too long to act over police abuse
Flock’s chief executive, Garrett Langley, has acknowledged that the US surveillance company was too slow to introduce safeguards against police misuse of its cameras, number-plate readers and drones. The admission follows cases in which officers reportedly used the technology to track romantic partners, stalk people and search for a woman who had an abortion, intensifying concerns about privacy and oversight.
Flock will reduce standard data retention from 30 days to seven and automatically flag unusual searches and uses. Langley now supports requiring police to have an active case number before searching Flock data, while maintaining that the technology helps tackle crime; at least 50 cities have cut ties with the company this year, though he said 16 had recently resumed services.
- Flock admits safeguards against police misuse came too late.
- Data retention will fall from 30 days to seven.
- Privacy concerns have prompted dozens of cities to leave Flock.
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The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Supporters of Flock’s technology argue that cameras, number-plate readers and drones can give police timely, objective leads in investigations into theft, missing people and violent crime. They may view the company’s admission and proposed changes—shorter retention, automated alerts and case-number requirements—as a necessary correction that preserves useful public-safety tools while making misuse more detectable and accountable.
The case against
Critics argue that systems capable of tracking vehicles and people create serious risks when deployed at scale, especially where access can be abused by individual officers or used in politically and personally sensitive investigations. They may contend that safeguards introduced only after reported stalking and abortion-related searches cannot remedy the underlying threat to privacy and civil liberties, and that cities should limit or end such surveillance rather than rely on internal controls.