What Happened to Flock Safety?
Flock Safety is an American technology company founded in 2017 that develops and operates public safety hardware and software, primarily automated license plate recognition (ALPR) cameras, video surveillance, and gunfire detection systems. The company has experienced rapid growth, deploying its technology in thousands of communities across the U.S., but faces ongoing scrutiny and legal challenges regarding privacy concerns, data sharing practices with federal agencies, and potential for misuse.
Quick Answer
Flock Safety continues to be a dominant provider of public safety technology, including ALPR cameras and surveillance systems, used by thousands of communities and law enforcement agencies across the United States. As of May 2026, the company is actively seeking new funding and expanding its product offerings, while simultaneously navigating increasing legal challenges, public backlash over privacy and data sharing with federal agencies, and cities canceling contracts. Recent developments include a class-action lawsuit in Boulder, Colorado, and updated policies in cities like Troy, New York, to restrict data sharing.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline16 events
Flock Safety Founded
Flock Group Inc., doing business as Flock Safety, is founded by Garrett Langley, Matt Feury, and Paige Todd in Atlanta, Georgia, focusing on public safety technology.
Confidential IPO Filing Reported
Reports indicate Flock Safety confidentially filed for an initial public offering, which would have valued the company at over $5 billion.
Acquisition of Aerodome
Flock Safety acquires Aerodome, an American-made drone company, expanding its offerings into drone-as-first-responder technology.
Series F Funding Round and $7.5B Valuation
Flock Safety raises $275 million in a Series F funding round led by Andreessen Horowitz, valuing the company at $7.5 billion.
Partnership with Mark43 Announced
Flock Safety and Mark43 announce a partnership to integrate their public safety platforms, allowing agencies to combine ALPR and video data with CAD and RMS systems.
Nova Platform Development and Initial Privacy Concerns
Flock Safety is reported to be developing 'Nova,' a public safety data platform to supplement ALPR data with other information, raising early privacy concerns.
Partnership with Amazon Ring
Flock Safety announces an integration with Amazon's Ring Community Requests, allowing Ring customers to optionally share video footage with public safety agencies using Flock software.
Federal Agencies Access Flock Data
Reports surface that federal agencies, including U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Homeland Security Investigations, accessed Flock networks in Washington state, sparking controversy over data sharing.
EFF Reports on Biased Policing and Discriminatory Searches
The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) publishes an analysis revealing patterns of biased policing and discriminatory searches using Flock Safety's ALPR network, including searches using racial slurs.
Partnership with Coreforce Announced
Flock Safety and Coreforce announce an integration partnership to enhance real-time awareness and operational efficiency for law enforcement by integrating Flock alerts into Coreforce's RTCC and DEMS platforms.
California Drivers Sue Flock Safety
Two California drivers file a lawsuit against Flock Safety, accusing the company of violating state law by allowing out-of-state and federal agencies to access ALPR data.
Series I Funding Round and $8.4B Valuation
Flock Safety raises a $208 million Series I funding round, bringing its total funding to $1.17 billion and its valuation to $8.4 billion.
Troy, NY Updates ALPR Policy
Troy, New York, city officials announce updated Flock Safety ALPR policy enhancements, limiting data sharing to intra-state agencies only and prohibiting federal agency agreements.
EFF Reports on ALPR 'Mission Creep'
The EFF publishes an analysis detailing how law enforcement agencies are using Flock Safety's ALPR data for purposes beyond specific investigations, including school residency verification.
Boulder, CO Residents File Class-Action Lawsuit
Two Boulder residents file a class-action lawsuit challenging the city's use of Flock Safety surveillance cameras, arguing the technology violates constitutional privacy rights by cataloging movements without warrants.
Edmonds, WA Cancels Flock Safety Contract
The city of Edmonds, Washington, cancels its contract with Flock Safety, becoming the third city in Snohomish County to do so, citing community concerns and data sharing issues.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Flock Safety, officially Flock Group Inc., was founded in 2017 by Garrett Langley, Matt Feury, and Paige Todd, emerging from a side project to address crime prevention. The company quickly established itself as a key player in public safety technology, offering automated license plate recognition (ALPR) cameras, video surveillance, and gunfire detection systems, along with integrated software platforms. Its business model involves leasing these devices to law enforcement agencies, homeowner associations, and private property owners on a subscription basis, aiming to deter crime and aid investigations.
The company's growth has been substantial, with its systems reportedly operating in over 5,000 communities across 49 U.S. states by 2025, performing billions of vehicle scans monthly. This widespread adoption is attributed to Flock Safety's claims of aiding in solving serious crimes, including homicides, assaults, and vehicle thefts. Key turning points include significant funding rounds, such as a $275 million Series F round in March 2025, valuing the company at $7.5 billion, and a subsequent $208 million Series I round in April 2026, with a valuation reaching $8.4 billion. Flock has also expanded its product ecosystem, acquiring drone company Aerodome in 2024 and Lucidus Tech in 2025, and launching platforms like Nova for investigative intelligence.
However, Flock Safety's rapid expansion has been met with considerable controversy and scrutiny. Critics, including civil liberties organizations like the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) and the ACLU, describe its systems as mass surveillance, raising significant concerns about privacy, data retention, and the potential for misuse. A major point of contention has been the company's data-sharing practices. In 2025, reports emerged that federal agencies, including U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), accessed Flock networks for immigration enforcement, despite state laws prohibiting such sharing in some areas like California. While Flock Safety initially denied federal contracts, CEO Garrett Langley later admitted to working with these agencies, subsequently stating the company had severed ties and implemented stricter data access controls.
The consequences of these controversies have been tangible. Dozens of cities have either paused, canceled, or refused to renew contracts with Flock Safety, citing community division, privacy concerns, and issues with federal data access. For example, Edmonds, Washington, canceled its contract in May 2026, following similar decisions by Mountlake Terrace and Lynnwood. In response, some cities, like Troy, New York, have implemented updated policies in May 2026 to limit data sharing to intra-state agencies only and prohibit federal agency agreements. Legal challenges are also mounting; in February 2026, California drivers filed a lawsuit alleging violations of the California ALPR Privacy Act, and in May 2026, Boulder, Colorado, residents filed a class-action lawsuit challenging the city's use of Flock cameras as unconstitutional warrantless surveillance.
As of May 29, 2026, Flock Safety remains a prominent, albeit controversial, force in public safety technology. The company continues to innovate, introducing tools like 'Audit Assistance' in April 2026 to enhance transparency and compliance. It also maintains strategic partnerships with other tech providers like Ring, Coreforce, and Mark43 to integrate its systems and expand its reach. Despite its efforts to address privacy concerns and enhance accountability, Flock Safety is operating in an environment of heightened public scrutiny and evolving legal frameworks, with ongoing debates about balancing public safety needs with civil liberties and privacy rights.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Flock Safety made different choices?