It's not the bots, Flock

Flock's claims about bot-driven protests may undermine genuine community opposition to surveillance technology.

Flock CEO Garrett Langley addressed police chiefs at a private conference, claiming that public backlash and protests against his company's automatic license plate reader (ALPR) technology are not genuine. Leaked audio obtained by 404 Media reveals Langley suggesting that social media opposition is largely driven by "anonymous bots," and he cited a drone strike in Ukraine as an example of an event that significantly impacted online chatter about Flock. He also asserted that the recurring nature of protesters with identical signs and messages across different locations indicates a coordinated, inorganic effort rather than organic dissent. Langley indicated a preference for avoiding press interviews and mentioned his wife advised him against apologizing. These comments were made shortly after reports of a woman being tracked by Flock technology following a self-administered abortion, an incident the company had previously denied.

Flock's CEO is attempting to delegitimize public opposition by attributing it to artificial manipulation, a tactic that could be used by other companies facing similar scrutiny. This strategy aims to sow doubt about the authenticity of community concerns and potentially reduce pressure on law enforcement agencies to reconsider their use of surveillance tech. If successful, it could embolden other surveillance companies to adopt similar narratives when facing public criticism.

The CEO's comments, especially his wife's advice to "never apologize" and his dismissal of protests as non-organic, reveal a defensive posture that prioritizes maintaining business relationships with law enforcement over addressing legitimate privacy and civil liberties concerns. This approach suggests a potential disconnect between the company's public image and its internal strategy for managing negative publicity and community pushback.