Flock reportedly cuts 18% of staff amid surveillance backlash

What happened: Flock, the AI license plate camera company, is reportedly cutting about 270 jobs, roughly 18% of staff. Henrico County, Virginia is ending its contract and Scottsdale, Arizona voted to look at other vendors. A Reuters Ipsos poll found 47% opposed Flock cameras. Flock was valued at $7.5 billion in March.
Austin's take: Austin sees the market pushing back on always on surveillance and hopes competition pushes vendors to deliver crime fighting without the big brother feeling. He expects more cities may drop out.
Why it matters: Public backlash to AI surveillance is now costing real contracts and jobs.
What to do: If your city uses license plate cameras, look into its data sharing terms and weigh in at public meetings.
Not confirmed yet: The layoffs come from sources speaking to Reuters; Flock hasn't confirmed them.

The Loop