Flock CEO Claims Online Resistance Is Fake, Bot-Driven
Flock CEO Garrett Langley claims online opposition is artificial, citing Russian bots. Privacy concerns and legal issues persist.
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Flock Safety CEO Garrett Langley has claimed that online resistance to his company is fake and orchestrated by Russian bots, according to leaked audio obtained by 404 Media. During a speech at the International Association of Chiefs of Police conference in Orlando, Florida, Langley stated that the backlash against Flock is not real and is instead a coordinated effort by bots.
CEO Claims Online Opposition Is Bot-Driven
Langley, without providing evidence, said that individuals criticizing Flock are being paid to say these things. He also claimed that online chatter about Flock has decreased by 50% following a recent event, attributing this to the impact of a Ukrainian attack on a Russian data center.
“These people are being paid to say these things,” Langley said in the leaked audio. “Online chatter about Flock is down 50% after Ukraine bombed a Russian data center last week… it’s anonymous bots, and it’s not real,” he added.
Privacy Concerns and Legal Challenges
Flock Safety, which operates automatic license plate readers (ALPR) and conducts video surveillance, has faced growing privacy concerns. Law enforcement can access Flock data without a warrant, according to 404 Media. The company has over 144,000 cameras across the country, as tracked by the open-source project DeFlock.
Despite its expansion, Flock has encountered numerous controversies. In San Jose, a police officer was fired for using Flock data to assist a relative in a domestic violence case. A Florida woman was also jailed after Flock cameras falsely linked her to a deadly car crash. These incidents have fueled public distrust and led to protests, including a bipartisan rally in North Carolina.
Political and Legislative Responses
Republican Senator Josh Hawley has supported efforts to regulate Flock, citing the case of an officer who searched his girlfriend’s license plate 124 times. While no bills have been introduced to outright ban Flock cameras, several proposals aim to restrict their use. Senator Bernie Sanders has proposed a bill to limit federal funding for Flock, and Hawley introduced legislation to prevent the sharing of Flock data with non-governmental entities.
As Flock continues to expand its surveillance capabilities, the debate over privacy, security, and the role of technology in law enforcement remains a contentious issue in both public and political spheres.
Source: Daily Caller
