# Flock CEO defends surveillance cameras amid abuse claims

> Flock's chief executive says the company would fire customers who knowingly broke the law, but has not done so yet despite dozens of officers abusing its licence plate database.
- Title: Flock CEO defends surveillance cameras amid abuse claims
- Summary: Flock's chief executive says the company would fire customers who knowingly broke the law, but has not done so yet despite dozens of officers abusing its…
- Keywords: flock, garrett langley, licence plate cameras, surveillance, police abuse, techcrunch disrupt, technology, startups, CEO, defends, cameras, abuse
- Source: The Next Web — https://thenextweb.com/news/flock-ceo-garrett-langley-disrupt-police-customers-abuse
- Author: Ana Maria Constantin
- Published: 2026-10-17T18:28:27+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: flock, garrett langley, licence plate cameras, surveillance, police abuse, techcrunch disrupt, technology, startups
## Flock CEO on stage at Disrupt
Flock CEO Garrett Langley spoke at TechCrunch Disrupt in San Francisco on October 14, 2026, in an interview with editor-in-chief Connie Loizos about the company's licence plate cameras.
## No customers fired yet, but it's possible
Langley said Flock would fire a customer that knowingly broke the law, but confirmed the company has not dropped any customer over abuse of its licence plate cameras to date.

> Most of the debate is nuanced into 'what if two officers out of fifty were caught?' Today, we haven't fired any customers, but it's not off the table in the case of some pretty drastic law-abiding issue.
## Dozens of officers abused the database
Reporting cited by TechCrunch found dozens of officers who faced arrest, firing or forced resignation after abusing Flock's national database.Many used it to stalk people.A US judge ruled one police search unconstitutional mass surveillance.
## Langley blames misinformation online
Langley blamed part of the backlash on misinformation online, saying social media had become rife with it. An Illinois council member cancelled his city's contract over facial recognition, which Flock does not offer.
## Gunshot detection does more than gunshots
Langley said Flock's gunshot-detection microphones listen for just gunshots, but Flock's website says the system can also send alerts for car crashes, fireworks and sideshows.

> Flock's gunshot detection technology is primarily used to detect gunfire but is also capable of detecting fireworks, sideshows, and potential car crashes.
## Protesters gather outside Disrupt
About twenty protesters gathered outside the Moscone Center before Langley spoke, some wearing red robes and cardboard Flock cameras. Activist Ashley Ortiz asked what about AI-powered mass surveillance should make people feel safe.

> We didn't consent. It's basically a surveillance state we didn't ask for.
## Key takeaway

Flock CEO Garrett Langley said the company would fire customers for knowingly breaking the law, but confirmed it has not dropped any customer over abuse of its licence plate cameras.