As opposition to surveillance grows, Flock Safety seeks a privacy "compromise"

Flock Safety chief executive Garrett Langley defended the company's networked licence-plate readers, cameras and drone systems while acknowledging public concerns, it was reported on 23 August 2026. Citing a newspaper investigation, technology news reports described 46 alleged incidents of unauthorised use; Flock says facial recognition is not used and that retention and audit controls are in place.

The case matters because AI surveillance can scale lawful investigation and misuse at the same time; the quality of governance cannot be separated from the product's capability.

Public-sector buyers should demand purpose limitation, access reviews, short retention, search logs, independent audits, complaint procedures and contract termination rights. The figure of 46 is not a final judgment.