Flock Safety Demands Map Removal Amid Surveillance Concerns
Flock Safety seeks to remove a public map exposing 300,000 surveillance devices, sparking privacy debates.
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Flock Safety, a private surveillance company, is reportedly attempting to have a public map of its surveillance network removed, following a cybersecurity researcher’s exposure of over 300,000 devices across the United States. The map, created by researcher Joshua Michael, was based on archived data from Flock’s records and includes more than 170,000 cameras and over 130,000 other devices, such as acoustic sensors and third-party camera equipment.
Trademark Complaint and Public Disclaimers
On Thursday, Michael received a trademark complaint from Doppel, an AI social-engineering defense firm, which claimed it was acting on Flock’s behalf. The complaint demanded that Michael stop using the “FLOCK SAFETY” mark and remove the map, citing customer confusion. However, the map already includes a disclaimer stating it is not affiliated with Flock.
Previous Attempts to Silence Critics
This is not the first time Flock has sought to suppress the map. In early 2025, the company sent a cease-and-desist letter to Will Freeman, creator of the DeFlock map, arguing that the name “diluted” its trademark. The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) defended Freeman, noting that federal anti-dilution law protects criticism and commentary. Despite this, Flock’s CEO, Garrett Langley, later referred to DeFlock as a “terroristic organization,” a remark that sparked bipartisan backlash and led to a public apology.
Privacy Concerns and Legislative Response
Flock’s surveillance network has drawn significant scrutiny, particularly after reports that the company routed local license plate data to federal and out-of-state agencies without city authorization. A San Francisco class action lawsuit alleged over 1.6 million queries of the city’s cameras by federal agencies like the FBI and ICE. Additionally, Texas Governor Greg Abbott ordered state agencies to cut funding after discovering that tens of millions in state dollars had been used to support Flock’s network.
Legislative Pushback and Public Backlash
Sen. Josh Hawley has been investigating Flock’s data practices, and several states, including Texas, have pulled funding from the network due to privacy and data-sharing concerns. Reps. Eric Burlison and Thomas Massie introduced the “Flock-Off Act” to cut federal funding for the rollout. The controversy highlights growing public resistance to widespread surveillance and the push for greater transparency in data collection practices.
Source: The Gateway Pundit
