Flock CEO says its microphones detect ‘just gunshots’ — its website says different
Langley’s comments come amid mounting scrutiny of Flock from privacy advocates, including the ACLU, and members of the public who are concerned about the misuse of its technology.
Key points
- Flock CEO Garrett Langley said its microphones detect 'just gunshots' at TechCrunch Disrupt.
- Flock's website says its audio system also detects fireworks, sideshows, and car crashes.
- Flock spokesperson Paris Lewbel said the tech does not monitor conversations or detect human screaming.
At TechCrunch Disrupt, Flock CEO Garrett Langley defended his company's gunshot-detection microphones, saying they detect 'just gunshots.' But Flock's website describes a broader capability, including alerts for car crashes, fireworks, and sideshows.
The product, called Gunshot Detection, was announced last year and faced immediate pushback after Flock said it would listen for 'screaming.' Privacy groups condemned the move, and the company later amended its website to say 'sounds of human distress' before pulling the distress-detection feature from customers who tried it.
Contradiction between CEO and website
When asked about the mismatch between his remarks and Flock's marketing materials, Langley responded, 'It's just gunshots.' He said only a couple of customers prototyped the broader audio detection, and that it would now only notify for gunshots.
Flock spokesperson Paris Lewbel told TechCrunch that the technology is primarily for gunfire but also detects fireworks, sideshows, and potential car crashes. Lewbel said Langley's remarks were meant to emphasize that the audio detection is not designed to monitor conversations or analyze speech and does not currently detect human screaming or distress.
Most people don’t call 911 when they hear a gunshot, and so that’s why we built the product
— Garrett Langley
Growing scrutiny and backlash
Langley's comments come amid mounting scrutiny from privacy advocates, including the ACLU, and members of the public concerned about misuse of the technology. Some have destroyed Flock's surveillance cameras.
Texas and Florida have moved to end their relationships with Flock, and Amazon's Ring has ended its partnership with the company. Protesters gathered outside the Disrupt venue in San Francisco as Langley took the stage.
