Flock Safety Faces Backlash Amid Surveillance Concerns and Contract Cancellations
By Editor • August 13, 2026 • 2 min read
Flock Safety, the surveillance technology provider with over 120,000 automatic license plate reader (ALPR) cameras across the United States, is grappling with growing scrutiny and increasing cancellations of its contracts. Communities such as Los Angeles have opted out of agreements with Flock, citing concerns over data privacy and the misuse of surveillance technology by law enforcement.
This backlash has been exacerbated by reports of abuse, including instances where police have allegedly used Flock’s tools to stalk individuals, leading to a reevaluation of the company’s responsibilities. In a recent interview, Flock CEO Garrett Langley acknowledged the company’s failures and announced upcoming updates to mitigate misuse of their technology. These updates include mandatory audit features to flag suspicious search behaviors and restrictions on how searches can be conducted.
Despite these efforts, the public's trust appears to be waning. A Tennessee congressional candidate was recently charged with vandalizing Flock's cameras, highlighting the intense opposition to these surveillance systems. Furthermore, a troubling incident reported by journalist Joel Feder revealed that Flock cameras inaccurately tracked him in Minnesota, sending police to pursue him over alleged stolen plates.
In a significant development, the LAPD ended its three-year contract with Flock, citing the need for clearer terms regarding data ownership and usage. An unnamed spokesperson from Flock attributed this pause to “misconceptions” surrounding their operations. Meanwhile, the company has faced further criticism after sending a cease and desist letter to a lecture series discussing its technology, which sparked outrage on social media.
The backlash against Flock has not only been driven by specific incidents but also by broader fears regarding surveillance in an increasingly authoritarian political climate. The company’s association with law enforcement and agencies like ICE has raised alarms, prompting Ring, a subsidiary of Amazon, to cancel its partnership with Flock amid public outcry. Ring stated that the integration with Flock would require more resources than expected, failing to address the implications of mass surveillance fueled by AI.
Flock has attempted to maintain transparency, acknowledging 15 reported instances of misuse of its technology by police. However, many victims have only discovered these violations through independent checks, such as the HaveIBeenFlocked.com website. This points to ongoing concerns about accountability in the use of surveillance technologies.
As the debate over Flock’s practices continues, the surveillance technology landscape remains fraught with ethical dilemmas. The public’s resistance is evident, with many demanding stricter regulations on how surveillance data is collected and used. The future of Flock Safety and similar companies will likely hinge on their ability to address these critical issues and restore trust among the communities they serve.
Source: www.theverge.com
