Flock Safety CEO Apologizes for Calling Critics Terrorists Amid Backlash

Flock Safety, the AI-powered surveillance company valued at $7.5 billion, finds itself at the center of intensifying debate over privacy and public safety. CEO Garrett Langley has apologized for previously labeling privacy activists as "terrorists," a remark that drew criticism from across the political spectrum Source: Gizmodo. The company's network of license plate readers and cameras has faced growing opposition, with the LAPD allowing its contract to lapse and activists increasingly vandalizing cameras Source: Gizmodo.

CEO's Apology

Langley told Forbes, "My comments were a mistake and I apologize," acknowledging that "there are groups today that have real valid criticisms of the business" Source: Gizmodo. The apology comes after far-right influencer Tucker Carlson highlighted Langley's use of "terroristic" to describe Deflock, a group that maps Flock cameras Source: Gizmodo.

Growing Backlash

• LAPD contract lapse: The Los Angeles Police Department let its three-year deal with Flock expire this month Source: TechCrunch.
• Vandalism: Activists using deflock.org, which tracks over 116,000 cameras, have been cutting poles and destroying sensors, with videos circulating on social media Source: Gizmodo.
• Privacy concerns: The ACLU and EFF warn that Flock's data could aid mass surveillance and potentially support ICE's deportation efforts, though Flock denies sharing data with ICE Source: Gizmodo.

Flock continues to expand, with a $275 million fundraising round last year and a $7.5 billion valuation. Langley is slated to discuss the future of surveillance at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 Source: TechCrunch.