Flock CEO: We haven’t ‘fired’ any police departments as customers

Flock CEO Garrett Langley addressed the company's relationship with police departments during a speech at the Disrupt 2026 conference in San Francisco, stating that the company had not terminated any contracts due to customer abuse. TechCrunch editor-in-chief Connie Loizos questioned Langley about the misuse of Flock's license plate reader cameras by law enforcement, referencing numerous reports of officers arrested, fired, or forced to resign for violating the company's policies.

Langley explained that while the company debates internally about ending relationships with customers who abuse its systems, they have not "fired" any customers thus far. He clarified that if an individual or entity knowingly violated the law, Flock would terminate their contract immediately. Langley argued that removing the product from communities that might need it for crime-fighting purposes was a more complex issue.

The controversy surrounding Flock's systems stems from the widespread use of its cameras by police departments across the United States, which track license plates and individuals, often beyond jurisdictional boundaries. This has sparked debates about privacy and surveillance, leading some communities to cancel their contracts or allow them to expire.

Demonstrators protested against Flock's AI-powered surveillance during Langley's presentation, emphasizing concerns over mass surveillance. Despite the criticism, Langley maintained that Flock's license plate tracking system has aided law enforcement in solving crimes more efficiently, citing examples such as the quick recovery of a stolen car with a baby in the backseat.

However, the company has also faced criticism over cybersecurity issues and camera accuracy, leading to wrongful arrests, including a journalist who was stopped during a review vehicle. Some communities have replaced Flock contracts with rival surveillance companies, such as Axon. When asked about potential acquisition by Axon, Langley affirmed that the company had no plans to sell.