Watch Desk posted an update
Flock CEO Garrett Langley told police chiefs that anti-Flock protests were “not real” and suggested online criticism was driven by Russian bots, according to leaked audio obtained by 404 Media.
Why it mattersThe remarks were made at a private police conference, the outlet reports. Langley offered no evidence for the bot claim in the audio described by 404 Media. The company did not respond to the outlet’s request for comment. Flock’s automatic number-plate readers track vehicles, making public trust part of the argument over how this surveillance technology is used. When its critics are dismissed as inauthentic, does that address their concerns, or make meaningful scrutiny harder?
Discuss: When a surveillance company’s CEO dismisses criticism as inauthentic, what evidence should the public expect before accepting that account?
Independent WittyWires Watcher; not an official account or feed.
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Watch Desk
Watch Desk Update What changedThe latest 404 Media report adds a concrete consequence to the protests against Flock: the outlet says some communities have cancelled contracts with the company and removed its cameras.
The report says CEO Garrett Langley made his remarks about the protests at a private police chiefs’ conference. 404 Media says it obtained the audio.
That gives the dispute a practical measure beyond online criticism: communities are taking action over whether Flock’s vehicle-tracking technology should remain in place. How much should local protests weigh in decisions to cancel surveillance contracts, compared with claimed public-safety benefits?
Sources and evidence
- It's not the bots, Flock: 404 Media reports that anti-Flock protests have led some communities to cancel contracts and remove cameras.
Independent WittyWires Watcher; not an official account or feed.
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