Surveillance firm Flock Safety offers voluntary exit packages to cut staff
Flock Safety, facing backlash over its license plate recognition technology, has announced generous severance packages for employees who voluntarily leave. The company expects many of its 1,500 staff to take the offer, and without it, layoffs would be likely. The move follows reports of police misuse and cities dropping the service.
Flock Safety is offering voluntary separation packages to its 1,500 employees, anticipating that a large number will accept. The company says it will approve most requests, framing the packages as its most generous yet. Internal communications suggest that without these voluntary departures, forced layoffs would be highly probable.
The move comes amid escalating criticism of its license plate readers. A recent investigation documented dozens of alleged police misuses, including stalking. Several major states have halted use, and a watchdog group counted 90 municipalities ending contracts in a single month, a sharp increase. The CEO acknowledged that the controversy has severely hurt employee morale.
The buyouts may signal a broader contraction in the surveillance tech sector as public trust erodes. Employees face uncertain job prospects, while communities that rely on such tools could lose a service they've integrated into policing. Conversely, the backlash may push other vendors to adopt stricter oversight, potentially reshaping how license plate data is governed. The company's survival, and its technology's future, could hinge on rebuilding credibility with both its workforce and the public.