Flock Offers Employees Buyouts as Customers Flee
6 hours ago
- Flock Safety announced a voluntary severance program with a generous package on Friday, amid growing backlash against its surveillance technology.
- Employees have until October 2 to decide, and the company expects to grant buyouts to most applicants, with departures mostly by October 29.
- The program follows customer losses due to privacy concerns and documented misuse of its license plate readers, including stalking by police.
- WIRED reported abuses, broad data sharing, and unknown manufacturing details; a wave of vandalism has also increased costs.
- Without buyouts, Flock would likely have to lay off staff; speculation suggests the company may sell parts or all of its business.
- Buyout offers reportedly range into tens of thousands of dollars, plus health care and extended stock option exercise periods.
- At least 93 local governments dropped Flock in August alone, with the drop rate tripling compared to previous years.
- CEO Garrett Langley cited internal morale damage, while Flock develops new AI products beyond license plate readers.