Flock CEO Garrett Langley stated that the company's gunshot detection microphones exclusively identify gunshots. However, Flock's website and a spokesperson indicate the technology also detects other sounds like car crashes and sideshows. This discrepancy has drawn criticism from privacy advocates concerned about mass surveillance.
The discrepancy between Flock's CEO's statements and the company's marketing materials raises concerns about transparency and the scope of surveillance technology deployed in communities. The technology's ability to detect a wider range of events than initially claimed could have implications for privacy and public safety.
Flock CEO Garrett Langley asserted that the company's gunshot-detection microphones are designed to detect only gunshots. However, Flock's website and a company spokesperson indicate a broader range of audio events can be identified, including car crashes, fireworks, and sideshows. Langley made these remarks during TechCrunch Disrupt, pushing back against criticism and what he described as misinformation about the company's surveillance technology. He stated that while the company had prototyped detecting "harm" or "abductions," it had listened to customer concerns and limited the technology to gunshots. A Flock spokesperson later clarified that the technology is primarily for gunfire but can detect other events, emphasizing it does not monitor conversations or analyze speech. The company's FAQ section notes its detection library is continually expanding. Flock has faced increasing scrutiny from privacy advocates and the public, leading to Texas and Florida ending their relationships with the company, and Amazon's Ring ending its partnership.
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