Flock Safety Chief Executive, Garrett Langley, has called for a balance between public safety and individual privacy as criticism of the company’s surveillance technology continues to increase.

Flock develops cameras, drones and license plate recognition systems used by law enforcement agencies, but the growing deployment of its technology has raised concerns about privacy, oversight and potential misuse.

Speaking in a recent interview, Langley argued that discussions about surveillance should not focus exclusively on either privacy or security.

He said policymakers and technology companies need to find a practical middle ground that protects communities while preventing excessive monitoring.

His comments come as the company faces increasing scrutiny from members of the public and political leaders.

Concerns about Flock’s technology intensified after reports identified dozens of cases involving alleged misuse by police officers.

Some officers were accused of using surveillance systems to obtain information about former partners or other individuals for unauthorised purposes.

Langley expressed sympathy for people affected by such incidents while arguing that the technology itself should not be blamed for misconduct by individuals.

Flock has introduced several changes in response to the criticism.

The company reduced the standard period for retaining surveillance data from 30 days to seven days and introduced requirements for officers to provide a case code before accessing information.

However, the measures have attracted further debate because certain circumstances allow authorities to retain information for longer periods.

Civil liberties organisations have continued to question whether the changes provide sufficient protection for privacy.

Meanwhile, politicians from both major U.S. political parties have raised concerns about the expansion of automated surveillance.

Langley has called for stronger regulations and penalties for the unlawful use of surveillance information, acknowledging that clearer rules and greater accountability are necessary as these technologies become more widespread.

Source:Techcrunch