Flock CEO says its microphones detect ‘just gunshots’ — its website says different

Your Flock device's advertised detection capabilities are broader than what the CEO claims it currently does.

Flock CEO Garrett Langley stated at TechCrunch Disrupt that the company's gunshot-detection microphones exclusively identify gunshots. However, Flock's website lists a broader range of audio detection capabilities, including street takeovers, severe car crashes, fireworks, and sideshows, to provide "earlier awareness" of public safety events. The company's "Gunshot Detection" feature, initially announced to detect "screaming" and later amended to "sounds of human distress," faced criticism. Flock later stated it removed the ability to detect "distress" from customer trials. Langley argued that critics misunderstand the product and that its primary function remains gunshot detection. A Flock spokesperson clarified that while the technology primarily detects gunfire, it can also identify fireworks, sideshows, and potential car crashes, but not human speech or screams.

Flock's conflicting statements about its audio detection capabilities highlight a tension between marketing broad public safety solutions and managing privacy concerns. By emphasizing "just gunshots" in public discourse, the company appears to be attempting to assuage fears surrounding mass surveillance, a sentiment amplified by protests at the event. This strategic ambiguity could impact how law enforcement agencies and municipalities adopt Flock's technology, potentially leading to more scrutiny and demands for transparency regarding the full scope of its detection abilities.

The discrepancy suggests a potential disconnect between Flock's product development roadmap and its public-facing communications, possibly as a response to market pressures and regulatory headwinds. As Flock navigates criticism and shifts in partnerships, such as with Amazon's Ring, its ability to clearly define and consistently communicate its technology's limitations and functionalities will be crucial for rebuilding trust and securing future contracts, especially as similar surveillance technologies face increasing public and governmental opposition.