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Garrett Langley seeks public compromise on mass surveillance as Flock Safety faces backlash over police misuse and privacy concerns

Garrett Langley, the founder of Flock Safety, is advocating for a public compromise on mass surveillance as his company's automated license plate reader (ALPR) technology faces increasing scrutiny. While the cameras provide significant benefits for law enforcement, including a 15.9 percent relative increase in car thefts caught, they have also sparked a moral panic regarding privacy and corporate overreach. Public opposition has manifested in over 150 municipalities deactivating or canceling contracts with Flock Safety. Critics point to documented cases of police officers using the system to stalk individuals, such as tracking romantic partners under the guise of missing person searches. In response, the administration announced a reduction in the default data retention window from 30 days to seven days and introduced mandatory search justifications. Despite these reforms, some civil liberties groups argue the adjustments are insufficient. However, Langley maintains that the technology allows for more surgical policing, reducing the need to and minimizing the risk of pulling over innocent motorists.

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