Flock Safety CEO Defends Surveillance Technology Amid Controversy

Garrett Langley, the founder and CEO of Flock Safety, a company that produces license plate recognition cameras, stood by his technology during a panel at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 in San Francisco this week. This defense came at a time when Flock is facing terminated contracts and job cuts across the country.

In the discussion, as reported by TechCrunch, Langley addressed the criticism surrounding his company’s cameras and their perceived invasion of privacy. He emphasized that the advancement of technology should not be hindered by its imperfections, stating, “If we want to live in a society where, if you commit a crime, you have a higher probability of being held accountable, we shouldn’t pause progress.”

Langley explained his viewpoint using the analogy of driverless cars. He noted that technology should be viewed as a tool for improvement, not perfection, saying, “One crash shouldn’t mean we abandon the technology entirely. Driverless cars are safer than human drivers. When accidents happen, we should focus on preventing future incidents, rather than shutting down the entire system.”

Addressing Flock’s role in local governance, Langley remarked that the company aims to support rather than dictate policy to city officials. “We don’t want to tell city leaders how to do their job. We’ll provide insights and suggestions, but we want to limit mandatory features and policies,” he explained.

When questioned about the potential misuse of their technology, Langley argued that there can be oversight without disrupting police operations. “It’s possible to address abuse without sacrificing the effectiveness of the legal system or police departments,” he noted.

In response to the expectation for flawless technology, Langley recalled a comment from an unnamed community leader who suggested that society often judges tech by unrealistic standards. He admitted, “Flock is far from perfect; I’m not perfect either, I’ve made mistakes.”

He also referenced the challenges faced by law enforcement, exacerbated by staffing shortages since the pandemic. “Policing has changed significantly lately, especially after COVID. In places like San Francisco, there are hundreds of unfilled positions that may never be addressed,” he stated.

While recognizing the burdens that come with leading a company under scrutiny, Langley believes it’s a necessary trade-off. “Building a consequential company has its costs, but it’s worthwhile. Millions of people have better lives because of Flock, despite our mistakes. And there are those out there who may one day find themselves in need of our services,” he concluded.