Flock is tightening its safeguards as America reckons with a rapidly expanding surveillance network

Flock's updates include changes in the retention period and new search requirements for police.

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images Flock Safety is introducing new privacy, accountability, and security updates.

The default data retention period is shortening, among other changes.

The changes come after backlash and media coverage, including from BI, on how the surveillance cameras are being used.

Flock Safety is making changes in the wake of public backlash and media reports scrutinizing how its cameras are being used to surveil American drivers.

Flock's move to tighten its privacy and accountability safeguards, including new requirements for law enforcement, highlights the pressure the surveillance company faces over concerns that its camera network could be misused.

In a Thursday blog post , CEO Garrett Langley outlined changes that "came from listening," including shortening the recommended default retention period for license plate data from 30 to 7 days, though the company said existing customers can keep their "current, democratically approved retention periods." The company will also require law enforcement customers to use a tool designed to flag potentially improper searches and, by the end of the year, require case codes for searches.

"For us, this is an evolution, it's another chapter in a long book for a company that's trying to build a safer America," Langely said in a video sent to Business Insider.

"I think we're at a time right now, as a society, where, even outside of public safety, we're asking the question, 'Where do private businesses have responsibility and an obligation to go above and beyond legislation?'" I've learned a lot in nine years of building @Flock_Safety .

Some of it from our customers, and some of it from the communities they serve.

Today we’re announcing the changes that came from listening.

A new standard for privacy, security, and accountability in public safety… — Garrett Langley (@glangley) August 13, 2026 Flock's cameras use machine learning to capture vehicle license numbers and letters, along with features such as dents, models, bumper stickers, and color.

They're typically mounted atop street signs, traffic lights, and utility poles.

The Atlanta-based startup, which was recently valued at $8.4 billion, said it has deployed cameras in over 6,000 communities across the United States.