Flock Safety CEO Garrett Langley apologized internally for referring to privacy activists as "activist terrorists," amidst ongoing criticism of the company's ALPR technology and a recent, modest funding disclosure.

San Francisco, CA — Garrett Langley, CEO of Flock Safety, the automated license plate reader (ALPR) company, issued an internal apology after referring to privacy activists as "activist terrorists" during a closed meeting with law enforcement. The comment, first reported by Forbes on July 17, prompted an internal email from Langley stating, "My statement was inappropriate and I sincerely apologize."

The apology lands as Flock Safety, a significant player in the Bay Area's surveillance infrastructure, continues to face scrutiny over its ALPR technology. Critics, including the ACLU and Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), contend that Flock's systems contribute to mass surveillance, raise significant privacy concerns, and can aid in broader tracking efforts. The company's expansion, including the deployment of 400 ALPR cameras in San Francisco following the passage of Prop E in March 2024, has been met with consistent public opposition.

While the company has raised significant capital in the past, including a $275 million round in March 2025, recent funding disclosures appear to be more modest. A Form D filing on April 22, 2024, by Mana Ventures Flock Safety, LP, showed an exempt offering of only $87,300. This entity, likely a special-purpose vehicle rather than a direct major funding round for Flock Safety itself, indicates no substantial new raise immediately following the CEO's controversial remarks. The connection between Mana Ventures Flock Safety, LP and Flock Safety, the operating company, remains ambiguous in primary filings.

The incident underscores the ongoing tension between surveillance technology providers and privacy advocates. While the CEO has issued an internal apology, the longer-term impact on the company's public perception, its relationships with municipalities, and any potential ramifications from privacy groups, particularly within the activist-heavy Bay Area, remain to be seen. As of this reporting, specific public statements from Bay Area privacy advocacy groups directly addressing Langley's comments or apology have not been disclosed.