Garrett Langley, CEO and co-founder of Flock Safety, is set to speak at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, scheduled for October 13-15 at San Francisco’s Moscone Center. His session will delve into the evolving landscape of surveillance technology, particularly in the context of artificial intelligence and public safety.
Founded in 2017, Flock Safety has rapidly expanded its footprint in the surveillance sector. The company is renowned for its automatic license plate recognition technology and has diversified its offerings to include general surveillance cameras and drone-based first responder systems. This expansion was bolstered by the acquisition of drone startup Aerodome in 2024, a deal reportedly valued at over $300 million. ([techcrunch.com](https://techcrunch.com/2024/10/23/flock-safety-paid-over-300-million-for-17-month-old-drone-startup-aerodome/?utm_source=openai))
In March 2025, Flock Safety secured a $275 million funding round, elevating its valuation to $7.5 billion. This marked a significant increase from the previous year’s valuation of $4.8 billion. The company’s total funding has now surpassed $950 million, reflecting strong investor confidence. ([techcrunch.com](https://techcrunch.com/2025/03/13/y-combinators-police-surveillance-darling-flock-safety-raises-275m-at-7-5b-valuation/?utm_source=openai))
Despite its financial success, Flock Safety has faced considerable public scrutiny. Privacy advocates, including the ACLU, have raised concerns about the potential for mass surveillance and the implications for civil liberties. In early 2026, reports emerged of individuals across the United States dismantling and destroying Flock’s surveillance cameras, highlighting the contentious nature of the company’s operations. ([techcrunch.com](https://techcrunch.com/2026/02/23/americans-are-destroying-flock-surveillance-cameras/?utm_source=openai))
Further challenges arose when Amazon’s Ring terminated its partnership with Flock Safety in February 2026. The collaboration, announced in October 2025, aimed to integrate Ring’s doorbell cameras with Flock’s network to assist law enforcement. However, the partnership was dissolved due to concerns over the integration’s complexity and potential privacy issues. ([techcrunch.com](https://techcrunch.com/2026/02/13/amazons-ring-cancels-partnership-with-flock-a-network-of-ai-cameras-used-by-ice-feds-and-police/?utm_source=openai))
Langley’s upcoming discussion at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 is anticipated to address these controversies and outline Flock Safety’s vision for the future of surveillance technology. Attendees can expect an in-depth exploration of how AI is reshaping public safety measures and the ethical considerations that accompany such advancements.
As surveillance technologies become increasingly integrated into daily life, the dialogue between innovation and privacy remains critical. Langley’s insights will provide valuable perspectives on navigating this complex landscape, making his session a must-attend for those interested in the intersection of technology, security, and civil liberties.
