Flock Safety faces scrutiny over crime statistics and privacy concerns

Flock Safety, a surveillance camera startup, is facing scrutiny over claims regarding the effectiveness of its technology. CEO Garrett Langley previously stated that the company helped solve over one million crimes in the United States in 2025. However, a review suggests this figure may be imprecise; a company spokesperson clarified that the estimate actually refers to the number of investigations and incidents supported by the technology, including investigative leads and searches, rather than strictly solved crimes.

The use of Flock’s automated license plate readers (ALPRs) has also sparked privacy debates in various regions, notably in Minnesota. While the technology can capture vehicle details like make, model, and color to assist law enforcement, it has raised concerns about data access and movement tracking. In response to privacy pressures, Flock recently announced a reduction in its default data retention period from 30 days to seven days.

In Minnesota, the debate has led to local policy shifts. Some cities have canceled or paused contracts with the company, and St. Paul City Council President Rebecca Noecker has called for the city and county to end their contract with Flock due to concerns over data sharing and privacy.