Morale at one of the most reviled companies in America appears to be at an all-time low. Flock Safety, the company infamous for selling AI-powered license plate readers to police departments and cities, is reportedly planning to lay off 18 percent of its workforce.
Increasingly reviled by Americans across the political aisle, Flock cameras have proliferated across the country, bringing controversy and outraged citizens in their wake. Now, those pressures may be catching up with Flock. The cuts, which are expected to impact 270 current Flock Safety employees, will take effect at the end of October according to sources close to the decision who spoke with Reuters. Flock currently employs about 1,500 workers.
Three weeks ago, WIRED reported that Flock had begun an employee buyout program with generous severance packages as growing numbers of its workforce became discontent amid mounting opposition from outside the company. It is unclear how many of the employees in these upcoming layoffs are leaving voluntarily as part of that program.
Flock backlash has been surprisingly bipartisan. Florida Governor Ron De Santis said, "I don't want to have this become a surveillance state," and the company has been banned from Florida highways. Texas cut off state funding as Governor Greg Abbott courts voters ahead of November's midterm elections. Pennsylvania Democrat Josh Shapiro has panned Flock and said he would "welcome" legislation banning the cameras. The Los Angeles Police Department declined to renew its Flock contract, and vigilantes have gone viral for dismantling or stealing Flock cameras.
Source: Engadget · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing