Flock Safety CEO Garrett Langley has confirmed that the company has never terminated a customer contract over misuse of its license plate recognition technology, despite reports of police officers abusing access to its surveillance database. Speaking at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 in San Francisco on October 14, Langley said Flock would consider ending contracts in cases involving serious or widespread misconduct.
The statement comes as the Atlanta-based company faces scrutiny over privacy, cybersecurity, and law enforcement access to vehicle location data. Flock operates more than 100,000 cameras across the United States, allowing participating police departments to search license plate records beyond their local jurisdictions.
Flock Responds to Police Misuse of Surveillance Data
Investigations have identified dozens of police officers who were arrested, dismissed, or pressured to resign after allegedly misusing Flock’s database. Some incidents involved officers accessing vehicle location records to track individuals for personal reasons without authorization.
Langley told TechCrunch editor-in-chief Connie Loizos that Flock would terminate a relationship if a customer knowingly violated the law. However, he acknowledged that the company has not taken that action against any police department or other law enforcement customer.
The CEO said Flock had discussed the issue internally but questioned whether an entire community should lose access to the technology because of misconduct by individual officers. He argued that police departments continue to rely on the cameras to investigate crimes and locate stolen vehicles.
Langley cited an incident involving a stolen vehicle with a baby inside, saying Flock’s technology helped officers locate the vehicle quickly. The company maintains that its surveillance network allows police to investigate crimes more efficiently.
Privacy Concerns Prompt Protests and Contract Cancellations
Protesters gathered outside the TechCrunch Disrupt venue during Langley’s interview, criticizing Flock’s surveillance technology and its potential use in immigration enforcement. Demonstrators carried signs opposing the company and wore costumes referencing surveillance-related themes, including characters from The Handmaid’s Tale.
Ashley Ortiz, an organizer with activist group The Wolves, told TechCrunch that opposition to Flock’s cameras extends across political affiliations. She called for local lawmakers to take residents’ privacy concerns more seriously and questioned whether widespread surveillance improves public safety.
Flock does not have a direct contract with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), but previous investigations found that the agency had accessed Flock information through cooperating local police departments.
Several municipalities have discontinued their relationships with Flock, including the Los Angeles Police Department, which allowed its contract to expire over civil liberties and privacy concerns. Other communities have reported disputes over camera reactivation, while some residents have covered or damaged surveillance equipment.
Flock Faces Security and Accuracy Criticism
The company has also faced criticism over compromised police credentials, unauthorized database access, and incorrect license plate identification. Some reported errors have resulted in motorists being stopped, detained, or wrongfully arrested.
Flock has introduced additional governance and auditing measures, including stronger authentication requirements and tools designed to detect improper system use. Meanwhile, some former customers have switched to competing surveillance providers, including Axon.
Langley also addressed speculation about a potential acquisition by Axon, stating that Flock is not considering a sale. He said the company intends to continue operating independently.
Featured image credits: Wikimedia Commons
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