Flock Safety Staff Cuts Follow Growing Privacy Backlash
Flock Safety is set to lose about 270 employees, but reports and the company differ on whether the departures amount to layoffs.
Flock Safety is reducing its workforce by about 18%, or roughly 270 employees, as opposition grows to its license plate-reading cameras in the United States. Reuters reported that the employees will leave at the end of October, according to Engadget and TechCrunch. The two outlets differ in how they describe the cuts, while Flock says the departures are voluntary rather than layoffs.
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What is happening to Flock’s workforce?
Engadget reports that Flock is planning layoffs affecting 270 employees, citing Reuters. It says the company employs about 1,500 people and that it remains unclear how many of those expected to leave are participating in a voluntary buyout program.
TechCrunch, also citing Reuters, reports that the roughly 270 departures follow a voluntary buyout program. Flock spokesperson Paris Lewbel told TechCrunch that the company had offered employees a voluntary separation program to prepare for its next phase of growth. Lewbel said it was “not a layoff.” The spokesperson did not answer TechCrunch’s question about whether chief executive Garrett Langley or other executives had taken pay cuts.
Both outlets point to an earlier WIRED report about the separation program. Engadget says it came amid employee discontent over outside opposition to Flock; TechCrunch says Flock had asked some employees to leave to avoid mandatory layoffs.
Why is Flock facing opposition?
Flock sells license plate-reading cameras used by police departments and cities. TechCrunch reports that more than 100,000 of its cameras have been installed across the United States, enabling police and federal agents to track vehicles that pass them. The outlet says communities and legislators have challenged the company’s surveillance system over privacy concerns.
TechCrunch also reports criticism of Flock’s cybersecurity and the accuracy of its plate-reading system. It says some cameras were accessible from the web and that misidentified plates have led to improper police stops and arrests. The outlet further reports that dozens of officers have been arrested, fired or forced to resign after misusing access to Flock’s system.
Engadget describes opposition from politicians across party lines, including restrictions affecting Flock in Florida and Texas and criticism from Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro. Both outlets report that the Los Angeles Police Department did not continue its Flock contract. Together, the reports show that the workforce reduction comes as the company faces pressure from employees as well as from communities and public officials.
Sources
This story was compiled by AI from the reports below. Read the originals for the full details.