Key facts
- Flock CEO Garrett Langley announced that drones are the company's fastest-growing business.
- The company is increasingly focusing on its 'Drone as First Responder' (DFR) service.
- Flock has secured over 200 DFR customers.
- Flock's license plate-reading technology has faced scrutiny regarding privacy and accuracy.
- The company recently reduced the default retention period for license plate data to one week.
Flock Safety, primarily known for its license plate-scanning technology, is increasingly prioritizing its drone business, according to CEO Garrett Langley. In an interview on the 'All-In' podcast, Langley stated that drones are now the company's fastest-growing segment, representing a significant shift from its license plate readers, which now constitute less than half of its forward-looking revenue.
The company is expanding its 'Drone as First Responder' (DFR) service, aiming to dispatch drones to emergency situations before police officers arrive. Langley shared an anecdote about a drone successfully identifying a man with a lighter, preventing a potentially dangerous police response. A Flock spokesperson confirmed that the company has secured over 200 DFR customers and is increasing production of its US-designed drones, which will be manufactured in Georgia.
This strategic pivot comes as Flock's core license plate-reader business faces mounting scrutiny. The technology, deployed in over 6,000 communities, has been criticized for potential misreads and misuse by law enforcement. Reports indicate that in some instances, misread license plates led to innocent individuals being stopped at gunpoint. In response to these concerns, Flock recently updated its privacy protocols, reducing the default data retention period for license plate information from one month to one week. Langley has also called for broader regulatory changes and stated the company is working to hold accountable any officers who misuse the technology.