Flock CEO Garrett Langley stated that the company’s gunshot-detection microphones are designed to detect “just gunshots.” However, Flock’s website suggests a broader range of audio detection capabilities. Speaking at TechCrunch Disrupt, Langley defended Flock’s audio-collection product, Gunshot Detection, which aims to provide “earlier awareness” of potential public safety events by listening for gunshots and other ambient sounds in nearby neighborhoods.
Product Features
Flock’s website claims that its audio systems can:
- Instantly pinpoint gunfire
- Detect street takeovers early to prevent chaos
- Identify severe crashes in real-time for quicker assistance
- Expand awareness beyond gunfire with alerts for car crashes, fireworks, and sideshows
The Gunshot Detection feature, announced last year, faced immediate backlash. Initially, Flock indicated that the technology would listen for sounds of “screaming,” which drew condemnation from privacy groups. In response, the company amended its website to refer to “sounds of human distress” but later removed this capability entirely from its offerings.
Addressing Concerns
During the interview, Langley addressed what he described as misinformation regarding his product, arguing that critics often misunderstand how it operates. His comments come amid a growing public unease about mass surveillance, highlighted by protests in San Francisco where demonstrators voiced their opposition as Langley spoke.
