Flock Safety CEO Garrett Langley is calling for national compromise as the company's automated license plate reader cameras face increasing public backlash, including vandalism and protests, across the United States. The technology, used by law enforcement to aid in criminal investigations, has drawn criticism over privacy and surveillance concerns.
"When people talk about just one of these, privacy or safety, they're prioritizing the wrong thing, and what we have to prioritize as a country is compromise," Langley stated in a recent interview. He emphasized the need to find a balance that ensures both public safety and individual privacy.
Despite these concerns, Flock Safety highlights the technology's effectiveness, reporting that its cameras have assisted law enforcement in over one million investigations and helped locate more than 10,000 missing persons. Critics, however, including Sen. Bernie Sanders, have raised alarms about potential mass surveillance, while Rep. Tim Burchett has advocated for cutting federal funding for the installations.
Residents in communities with Flock cameras have voiced their opposition. Some individuals have resorted to protesting directly in front of the cameras, holding signs to block their lenses. Instances of camera poles being destroyed or cameras being stolen have been reported in states such as New York, Minnesota, California, and Illinois.
Langley acknowledged the validity of some concerns regarding the lack of regulation and accountability surrounding surveillance technology. "Today, it is too often that in Flock and in other technologies, there's no regulation. No accountability, and we think that's wrong," he said. Flock Safety has implemented measures such as recommending data retention limits of seven days and utilizing audit assistance tools to detect abnormal behavior within the system.
The company is urging state regulators to focus on ensuring accountability for law enforcement agencies using the technology, rather than banning the systems outright. Langley believes that a collaborative approach is necessary to address the complex issues surrounding automated license plate readers and their impact on privacy and safety.