Flock Safety to cut 18 percent of workforce amid privacy backlash

AI surveillance startup Flock Safety plans to reduce its workforce by approximately 18 percent, affecting roughly 270 employees. The layoffs are expected to take effect by the end of the month following a voluntary buyout program announced in September.

Based in Atlanta, the company operates a network of approximately 120,000 AI-powered cameras across 49 states that automatically read license plates. While Flock Safety provides technology to over 4,800 law enforcement agencies and nearly 1,000 businesses to assist in crime investigation, it faces increasing scrutiny from lawmakers, regulators, and privacy advocates regarding potential privacy violations.

Despite the backlash, the company has seen significant investor interest, raising over $950 million to date. A recent funding round led by Andreessen Horowitz valued the startup at $7.5 billion. Flock Safety has declined to comment on the planned job cuts.