The CEO of Flock Safety, a surveillance technology company, publicly apologized for the misuse of its license plate camera network by law enforcement officers, as reported by the Washington Post. In a recent interview, CEO Garrett Langley expressed his regret over the incidents and outlined new measures aimed at enhancing accountability and privacy.
Apology and Acknowledgment of Issues
During a CBS News interview, Langley addressed the troubling reports that police officers had improperly accessed Flock’s data in 46 instances, including allegations of stalking. He stated, «I apologize. It kills me that she went through that,» referring to a victim whose experience highlighted the potential for abuse.
Langley reflected on the company’s responsibility, admitting, «Hindsight tends to be very clear.» He emphasized the need for continuous improvement, stating, «Until everyone has an equal level of safety in this country, we have work to do.» Despite the criticisms, he defended Flock’s role in providing law enforcement with tools to enhance public safety.
New Measures to Enhance Accountability
In response to the backlash, Flock announced several changes to its data retention and access policies:
- Data Retention Period: The default retention period for data has been reduced from 30 days to 7 days, with an option to extend for ongoing investigations using a feature called «Evidence Mode.»
- Search Protocols: Law enforcement officers will now need to enter a case code for every search of the data, although exceptions can be made in emergencies.
- Limiting Searches: Agencies can restrict the types of offenses that can be searched, focusing on serious crimes like homicide and assault.
- Abnormal Search Behavior Monitoring: By the end of the year, all law enforcement customers will be required to activate a tool designed to flag unusual search activities, which will lock out users until an administrator reviews the searches.
Langley noted that approximately one-third of their law enforcement clients have already implemented this monitoring tool.
Criticism and Future Outlook
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has voiced concerns regarding Flock’s surveillance practices, suggesting that the company’s new data retention policy may not be sufficient to protect privacy rights. In their statement, they remarked, «Whether this is a real change or just another Flock PR move, however, will depend on how its ‘Evidence Mode’ operates.»
In light of the ongoing concerns, Langley issued a stern warning to officers considering abusing their access to Flock’s technology: «You will get caught, plain and simple. If you try to use this tool illegally, you will get caught.» He urged for stronger regulations, advocating that misuse should be treated as a criminal offense rather than merely resulting in termination.
As Flock Safety implements these changes, the effectiveness of their new policies in preventing misuse and protecting civil liberties remains to be seen.
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