AI surveillance startup Flock cuts 18% of staff amid privacy backlash

Flock Safety, an AI surveillance camera and license-plate reader maker, is cutting about 270 jobs (18% of workforce) after a voluntary buyout program, amid growing community and legislative opposition to its products. The layoffs signal a potential slowdown in the company's rapid growth trajectory, though the financial impact and strategic pivot remain unclear. This reflects broader regulatory and social pressure on surveillance tech firms.