AI surveillance startup Flock to cut several hundred jobs amid backlash, sources say
Company, which grown rapidly in recent years, has been under scrutiny as privacy concerns grow
TL;DR
- Flock Safety plans to lay off about 18% of its employees, roughly 270 people.
- The job cuts follow a voluntary separation program offered to employees.
- The company faces mounting opposition and scrutiny from communities, lawmakers, and privacy advocates.
- A Reuters/Ipsos poll indicates Americans are divided on the use of Flock cameras, with 47% opposing their use.
- Flock's network consists of approximately 120,000 AI-powered cameras used by over 4,800 law enforcement agencies and 1,000 businesses.
- Concerns over privacy violations and data-sharing practices have led to backlash, including a ban on automated license plate readers in Florida and a privacy lawsuit in Virginia.
- Florida banned automated license plate readers from state highways citing privacy risks associated with Flock's cameras.
- Home Depot investors demanded reviews of partnerships with surveillance technology vendors due to Flock's data being used in immigration enforcement.
- Flock has raised over $950 million from venture capital investors, with its latest valuation at $7.5 billion.
- The company's technology is becoming a political issue ahead of midterm elections.