{
  "id": 13014937,
  "title": "AI surveillance startup Flock Safety to cut several hundred jobs amid backlash",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/ai-surveillance-startup-flock-safety-to-cut-several-hundred-jobs-amid",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-10-09T02:40:05.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Economic Times Tech",
    "slug": "economic-times-tech",
    "url": "https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/artificial-intelligence/ai-surveillance-startup-flock-safety-to-cut-several-hundred-jobs-amid-backlash/articleshow/134804570.cms"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "AI surveillance company Flock Safety is set to lay off approximately 270 employees, representing about 18% of its workforce, following a backlash against its products. The voluntary buyout program, announced by the Atlanta-based startup, comes amid increasing opposition from communities and lawmakers. The job cuts will take effect at the end of the month. Flock Safety, which has seen rapid growth over the past few years, offers AI-powered surveillance cameras and license-plate readers to over 4,800 law enforcement agencies and businesses across the nation. Despite receiving significant investment, totaling over $950 million, the company's growth has been met with scrutiny due to alleged privacy violations and data-sharing practices. Public opinion is divided, with 47% of Americans opposing the use of Flock cameras in their communities.",
  "summary": "Flock Safety plans to let go of about 18% of its employees, people with direct knowledge of the plans said on Thursday, as the maker of AI-powered surveillance cameras and license-plate readers faces mounting opposition to its products from",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Investing.com",
        "title": "Exclusive-AI surveillance startup Flock Safety to cut several hundred jobs amid backlash, sources say",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/exclusive-ai-surveillance-startup-flock-safety-to-cut-several-hundred-12990236",
        "published": "2026-10-09T00:06:17.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Exclusive-AI surveillance startup Flock Safety to cut several hundred jobs amid backlash, sources say",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/exclusive-ai-surveillance-startup-flock-safety-to-cut-several-hundred",
        "published": "2026-10-09T00:20:04.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}