Summary
- Garrett Langley, CEO of Flock Safety, emphasized the need for a balance between privacy and safety during an interview with Fox News.
- He likened calls for a ban on the cameras to a prohibition on cars, suggesting that regulations like DUI laws are preferable.
- Langley's comments came in light of a Washington Post report revealing a lack of audits on police use of the cameras.
In response to the increasing criticism of Flock Safety's AI-driven license plate recognition cameras, CEO Garrett Langley is urging Americans to seek a "compromise" rather than choose between privacy and safety. This push comes as incidents of vandalism against the cameras rise and bipartisan discontent grows in Congress.
During a recent interview with Fox News, Langley stated, "What we have to prioritize as a country is compromise," arguing that framing the debate solely in terms of privacy versus safety misplaces priorities. He pointed out that outright bans are not the solution.
Flock Safety has managed to unite a diverse group of lawmakers with a common concern. Senator Bernie Sanders recently announced plans to propose legislation aimed at halting "AI mass surveillance," while House Republicans led by Representative Tim Burchett have pushed for a bill preventing the federal government from procuring Flock cameras. Additionally, Senator Josh Hawley from Missouri has initiated a separate inquiry into the matter.
Langley contended that banning the cameras would be akin to banning vehicles, a move society rejected in favor of implementing safety measures like DUI regulations and seatbelt requirements. He suggested regulatory improvements in two key areas: data retention and the accountability of officers who misuse the technology. He remarked, "The person who wants a bad cop gone first is a good cop, and 99.9% of cops are good."
STOP FLOCK. STOP AI MASS SURVEILLANCE.
Totalitarianism is when a government or another entity with overwhelming power seeks to know, control and influence everything you do, say and even think. I fear very much that if we don't act aggressively, that is where we’re heading.…
— Sen. Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) August 26, 2026
Increased Scrutiny on Flock Safety
A recent investigation by the Washington Post revealed that at least 69 police officials have faced accusations, charges, or convictions for misusing Flock or similar license plate readers. Notably, in 15 instances, the initial reports of misuse came from individuals outside the police departments, such as victims, activists, or journalists.
Further scrutiny by journalists uncovered additional cases, including one officer in Indianapolis who conducted 3,759 searches over a ten-month period on vehicles belonging to his wife and acquaintances, averaging about twelve searches a day. The departments involved admitted to not routinely auditing officer searches, leading to disciplinary actions against two of the officers involved.
Just six days prior to the Post report, Flock announced plans to implement mandatory Audit Assistance for all law enforcement clients, a feature that flags unusual search patterns. Previously optional since April, only about one-third of the 7,000 agencies using Flock had activated it.
Langley also addressed concerns raised by a WIRED investigation that coincided with the Post report, which found that Flock had developed an AI tool capable of identifying drivers based solely on their movement patterns, without needing license plate numbers or names. He acknowledged the power and potential dangers of AI, asserting that its application in public safety must include third-party verification. "When you call 911, it has to work. There's no space for hallucination," he remarked.
Flock claims that its technology assisted in over a million criminal investigations last year and helped locate over 10,000 missing individuals, according to its own Impact Census, which surveyed nearly 700 agencies. However, this methodology is still open to critique. The company estimates its technology contributed to approximately 20% of resolved cases in areas where its cameras are deployed.