Flock

Flock Safety, the Atlanta-based maker of AI-powered surveillance cameras and license-plate readers, plans to cut about 18% of its workforce following a voluntary buyout program, which people with direct knowledge said is expected to affect roughly 270 employees who will leave at the end of the month. The company, founded in 2017 and with about 1,500 employees, faces mounting opposition from communities, lawmakers and privacy advocates over its cameras and data practices, and has also seen regulatory and legal challenges. Sources declined to be named and Flock declined to comment; the cuts were reported before any public announcement. The article places the reductions in the context of growing scrutiny, recent policy actions (such as Florida's ban on automated license plate readers on state highways), investor interest, and the company's recent funding and expansion plans.