SUMMARYFlock plans to cut about 18% of its workforce, or roughly 270 employees, as the AI surveillance camera and license-plate reader maker faces growing backlash from communities, lawmakers, regulators, and privacy advocates. A Reuters/Ipsos poll found 38% of Americans support Flock cameras in their community while 47% oppose them. In Texas, a county commissioner decommissioned all 61 Flock surveillance cameras and license-plate readers amid concerns over data access, vendor disclosures, improper searches, and record retention.
Reuters reports:
Flock plans to let go of about 18% of its employees, people with direct knowledge of the plans said on Thursday, as the maker of AI-powered surveillance cameras and license-plate readers faces mounting opposition to its products from communities and lawmakers....
The company has about 1,500 employees [with job cuts hitting 270 employees]. Flock faces growing scrutiny from regulators, lawmakers, and privacy advocates, despite drawing strong investor interest among venture capitalists. A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll showed Americans are divided on whether Flock cameras are a good idea. Some 38% of the country supports the use of Flock cameras in their community, compared to 47% who oppose their use.
A related story... In Texas this week a county commissioner decommissioned all 61 of their Flock surveillance cameras and license plate readers, according to a local news report. 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," the precinct's Chief Public Affairs Officer said.