Garrett Langley, chief executive of Atlanta-based surveillance technology firm Flock Safety, is set to take the stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 in October to discuss the increasingly blurred line between public safety and personal privacy in the age of artificial intelligence. The session, scheduled for 13-15 October at San Francisco’s Moscone Center, comes as the company navigates a surge in investment alongside mounting public backlash.
Flock Safety, founded in 2017, has grown rapidly by selling AI-powered cameras and drone systems to law enforcement agencies and private businesses. Its technology, best known for automatic number plate recognition, now includes general surveillance cameras and drone first responders, following the acquisition of Aerodome. The company’s most recent fundraising round last year raised $275m, pushing its valuation to $7.5bn — a sharp rise from $4.8bn the previous year. Total funding since inception stands at $950m.
However, the company’s commercial success has been met with significant opposition. Privacy advocates, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), have criticised Flock’s data-sharing agreements with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement. In some cases, members of the public have vandalised Flock’s cameras. The company suffered two notable setbacks this year: Amazon’s Ring ended its partnership, and the Los Angeles Police Department allowed its contract with Flock to lapse in July 2026.
For UK businesses and consumers, the debate has direct implications. The UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is increasingly scrutinising the use of facial recognition and predictive policing tools, while the European Union’s AI Act imposes strict rules on high-risk AI systems, including those used in surveillance. British firms deploying similar technologies must navigate a complex regulatory landscape that balances innovation with the right to privacy. Experts warn that without clear guidelines, public trust in AI-driven safety tools could erode, stifling adoption in sectors such as retail, transport, and local government.
Dr. Helena Cross, a technology ethics researcher at the University of Cambridge, commented: “Flock Safety epitomises the tension between the promise of AI to reduce crime and the risk of creating a surveillance state. UK regulators must watch this closely — the decisions made in the US often set precedents that influence global standards.” The upcoming TechCrunch Disrupt session is expected to draw over 10,000 attendees, including founders, investors, and policymakers, all keen to hear Langley’s defence of the company’s approach.