Flock to Cut About 18% of Workforce as Surveillance Backlash Mounts
Flock plans to cut about 18% of its workforce, roughly 270 jobs, as the AI surveillance company faces growing opposition from communities, lawmakers and privacy advocates, Reuters reports.
The job cuts were described by sources on Thursday. They come as Flock faces growing scrutiny from regulators, lawmakers and privacy advocates, even as the company has drawn strong investor interest among venture capitalists, according to Reuters.
A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll found Americans are divided on whether Flock cameras are a good idea. About 38% of respondents supported the use of Flock cameras in their community, while 47% opposed their use.
The backlash has also reached local government. In Texas this week, a county commissioner decommissioned all 61 Flock surveillance cameras and license plate readers in the precinct, according to a local news report. The precinct's Chief Public Affairs Officer said county residents "have raised serious questions about who can access this data, what vendors can disclose, improper searches, and records being kept after data expires."
Flock's products include AI-powered surveillance cameras and license-plate readers, which have become a focus of debate over public safety, data access and privacy. The company has attracted venture capital investment even as regulators, lawmakers and privacy advocates increase scrutiny of its technology.
The planned layoffs would affect about 18% of Flock's workforce.