Miguel Afonso Caetano@remixtures@tldr.nettime.org
"Privacy advocates and some cities around the country have expressed concern about Flock’s technology, saying the products provide customers access to vast surveillance capabilities.
Langley acknowledged Flock has its detractors, but downplayed concerns. He pointed to other companies including wireless carriers that also track individuals’ whereabouts but don’t necessarily help police.
“We are unapologetically focused on building safer cities,” said Langley. “Flock’s job is not to write the laws, it’s to enforce the laws that democratically individuals write.”
Along with law enforcement agencies, universities, hotels and other groups also are customers. The company said only law enforcement would have access to the new AI tools.
Dave Maas, director of investigations at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, said Flock Group Inc., the company that operates Flock Safety, empowers a growing number of users and increases surveillance with little accountability. He called Flock’s role governing the use of its technology “minimal at best.”
“These tech companies are serving their investors first, their customers second and members of the public third,” he said. “Their primary goal is not to make it safer, it’s to make money.”"
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-08-07/controversial-surveillance-startup-flock-adds-ai-to-police-tech
#AI #USA #Flock #Surveillance #PoliceState #DomesticWarfare #Privacy