Politicians criticize Flock cameras ahead of midterms
The startup has come under fire following revelations that police officers allegedly abused their access to the devices’ data to track exes and romantic interests.
As the US midterm elections approach, politicians from both sides are criticizing the use of Flock Safety cameras. The Atlanta-based startup, which provides license-plate reading cameras, has come under fire for alleged abuses of its technology by law enforcement officers. These abuses allegedly include tracking individuals' romantic interests and exes, sparking a backlash against the company's always-on cameras.
Flock CEO Garrett Langley has defended the company's technology, stating that they uphold constitutional rights. In response to criticism from Senator Rand Paul, Langley emphasized the company's commitment to protecting Fourth Amendment rights. The company has also introduced guardrails to prevent misuse by law enforcement and called for tighter state guidelines. However, despite these measures, politicians anticipate continued pressure to address the issue of Flock cameras during the upcoming midterms.
The controversy surrounding Flock Safety has broader implications, as President Donald Trump is reportedly reviewing the situation. The issue is part of a growing concern about AI-powered surveillance tools, with several companies banning Meta's smart glasses due to privacy concerns. Law experts have described the atmosphere around AI-powered snooping as suffocating, particularly for those working in the field.
Written by urgent.news from Semafor's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
